Regarding social media it's astonished me in RL at times how people act like they have a divine right to digital copies of other peoples family photos to do with as they wish

How exciting. Good for him and I'm sure it will become successful .
I do hope that after that, he has other things in the works .

Strange thing to say maybe but Ann Widdecombe went from being a hated politician to a kind of loveable Grandma figure because of Strictly!!

Most benefit this series has to be Georgia!!

Apologies if these comments have already been made, I've literally just found this thread & have to set off for work in 5 minutes!!

Not in this house, she didn't ...

Not in mine either.

Good on him, hope this goes well. There should be more Pro/Celeb tours after the main tour and I do think there will be interest. Look forward to more details. Hopefully it will persuade more of the better celebs to do this.

Discussion up in the AT thread less hopeful now that they would be guests on Robin's tour as the couple of theatre websites have altered the wording a bit - but you never know.

The Shy Town song published in the USA definitely exists - see link above.

Yes from last year's cast, definitely Georgia. Happy for her

Watched The Sound Of Music Live last night and Kara is absolutely brilliant as Maria! I thought all the roles were well cast but Kara really shone. She has fantastic chemistry with Julian Ovenden. We were very impressed with the children and Katherine Kelly is good as Frau Schraeder. My daughter and I loved the whole production as much as the Julie Andrews film, I wish Kara every success as she continues with her stage career she deserves it!

Thank you to all who recommended

Glad you enjoyed it . I don't know if you've watched the 'making of' documentary that's on the DVD, but if you haven't it's worth a look. Seeing how they were running between sets and changing costumes etc in the ad breaks (and Kara doing the whole thing with 2 mic packs strapped under her wig ) makes it even more impressive.

Really?! That sounds uncomfortable

We'd thought we might watch the documentary tonight so definitely will now thanks It will be interesting to see all the behind the scenes stuff, sounds manic! It does make Kara and the other cast members performances all the more impressive because they were so perfect you'd think numerous takes had been edited rather than it being completely live.

Having watched the documentary I am in awe of Kara (and a little bit in love with Julian Ovenden). The whole cast running between sets then so poised on camera in every scene. Fascinating how they put the production together over the six week rehearsal period. Mel is hilarious, not used to seeing her in such a serious role. The children are lovely! Kara's wig and the two different hair pieces that covered the microphone packs Thank goodness the wig didn't fall off The sets were beautiful. Will watch again!

Oh and Katherine Kelly mentioning Strictly when rehearsing her dance routine with Alexander Armstrong They should both do the show

She was funny switching between accents behind the scenes

Yes, if your hairpiece falls off mid-song and lies there on the floor, I'm not sure how you come back from that

I was pleased to see they've got 3 TV Craft BAFTA nominations (one of them is against Jason Gilkison so I hope they win as I don't think he should be rewarded for what he's done to Strictly ) but I hope they get a nomination or two at the main TV BAFTAs as well.

I too thought it was great. I agree about Julian Ovenden. He has a new album out on 22 April with clips on his Facebook page.

It was the way the pieces at the crown attached to cover the mic packs too and how quickly they had to change them between scenes! Who could forget Karen and Ramps getting tangled together in their mic wires, and I'm sure someone left hair extensions all over the dance floor, but if Kara's had come away she really would have looked like a robot with her head controls exposed

Agree with you about Jason Gilkison's work on Strictly, lets hope The Sound Of Music Live cleans up at the awards they deserve to!

Thank you so much for this, his album comes out in my birthday week so I've just asked Mr Ochre if he'll buy it for me. His response "Is that Captain von Trapp, oh for God's sake"

I love Julian's voice Looking forward to listening to the whole album

That was Erin in the series 6 eviction AS with Austin

Of course, it was Erin with at least two large pieces flying out and looking like roadkill on the dance floor as they danced around them

Austin leaving wasn't funny though, I liked him too. Didn't they dance a Latin dance in the dance off, I remember him dancing his American Smooth the night he went out too, confusing myself now will have to look it up

James Martin puts his getting the Saturday Kitchen Presenter job, down to his popularity on Strictly.

I should think that is probably true - it propelled him from being just another chef to being a TV celebrity.
I thought he was great on Strictly and bless him he really gave dancing a go !

Yes Strictly definitely helped his TV career, will miss James on Saturday Kitchen. He and Camilla were one of my favourite couples on Series 3, showmance angle aside. He is so likeable and showcased himself well.

Denise Lewis and Colin Jackson are permanant fixtures in BBC athletics coverage. Yes, they are former Olympians so were always going to be up for consideration but Strictly proved that both were media friendly and popular with the public.

In the same vein, would Robbie Savage have been offered as much tv punditry work without Strictly?

Overall though I think Alesha has made the best deal out of the show.

Regarding James Martin I remember him saying he would've said no to Strictly and it was his PA who signed him up without him knowing because she was a big fan of the show Funny how life and career changing moments can come about.

I liked Letitia Dean on Strictly and IMO she extended a successful career that was in danger of fading away - plus she seemed to kick-start a whole new lease of life.

I don't think she's a contender for who benefitted the most, but I think she got a lot from being on the Show, because she had the right attitude and applied what she discovered about herself on the show.