Whilst not being amongst my fantasies; & apart from the fact that Darren "Twinkle Toes Gough" (sorry, can't hear that nickname without thinking of Fred Flintstone) & Lilia have given such outstanding performances on SCD & ITT, I have to admit that he has come across as being a real gentleman & great with kids.

Not only did he fit in the fact that Darren Bennet & Lilia had become the British Closed Champions, in Blackpool on Friday; & he had made teh effort to travel up there & support them, but he was very complimentary about all the competitors, in he Mirror interview he gave.

He also doesn't seem to have any vanity about what he has achieved; ascribing it all to Lilia's teaching & encouragement.

Oh, & wasn't he wonderful at the dancing lesson? There he was, willing to step in, when one of his lads did the usual biys thing & didn't want to dance with anything so horrible as a girl, & take the ribbing from Len, about lowering his shoulders, in good spirit.

I don't understand cricket, so I knew nothing about the lad, before he appeared on SCD, but he's certainly impressed me by seeming to be one of he nicer celebs, you could hope to meet.

Their Paso is my #1 fave routing of this series. Their apperances on ITT have been fab too. They just seem so relaxed and comfortable, they seem to get on really well. While not being quote up to the standard, humour wise, of Lilia and Aled's training last year, it's still pretty fun t watch! I want them to win at the moment!

Still loving Darren..I really hope he gets to the final.

I am up watching the cricket in Pakistan and the England supporters have the huge banner saying 'Vote Darren' up again, with the number. The Pakistan cameramen were very intrigued by it all!

This time I started knowing very little about any of celebs. I have grown to particularly like Darren. He does seem to have everything and he is very modest. I do think he is right in that Lilia has done wonders with him, but only because he is a wonderful person inside.

I think it was great for me this series as all the celebs had a total clean slate for me cause I knew very little about all of them. But Darren has definately become my favourite by far!

I LOVE HIM!

I know I've posted in this thread before but I think it deserves to be bumped especially since he's appearing on ITT tonight!!

He is such a sweet Dad and he looks totally hot as I've said in his casual gear like hoodies and jeans.

I was worried that his Jive might not go to plan on Saturday but he was FANTASTIC! He was right on time and his kicks were really good and he put every effort in! He is definately my favourite to win it!

I knew the judges wouldn't like the worm but what can you do! I thought it was a fun little move and it showed the kind of dancing that he was good at before SCD. It did show great control and skill, why not have something a little bit different!

So overall I just think he is an amazing guy and a fabulous dancer! And how sweet was it when he went to support Darren B and Lilia!!

DARREN AND LILIA TO WIN!

I thought his caterpillar fitted in perfectly with the idea of the jive being similar to the jitterbugging that GI's used to do during the war; lots of outrageous moves & athleticism, as lifts aren't allowed & he could actually do it Never mind the judges' opinions of the move, I say full marks to him.

(Sorry, had to edit for typos.)

NAh NAaaaaaahhh!!!

*dances in in spectacular stylee*

Guess what I have for you???

Go on.... guess..

A picture of my two faves of the competition.

I posted it for the PHWOAR!!!!!! lads and ladies, so it's here for your viewing pleasure too.

Becks

That was actually amazing, it made me go all tingly inside! U dont by any change have a picture of Bills really cute son do u ??!!

Totally agree ! In the past I thought Darren G. was fairly good looking but I was at the National Dance Championships in Blackpool last Friday and met him there! He was there supporting Lilia and Darren B. and he is even better looking in the flesh and looked great in his suit! V.lovely and friendly, chatting and posing for pictures. You can see pic of him (and me!) here: www.flickr.com/photos/vicstarz

Really gutted I can't view your pic!
Maybe a problem with my browser, but I am dead jealous nonetheless, this puts you at second most enveyed woman in the world at the mo, Lilia being number one.
I have been away nursing a sick mother in law and had a whole day today of catching up with SCD and ITT, what a day it had been.
Still totally mad on Daren and in the group dance he had the hips off to a fine art, oh the joy of rewind!!
Here's hoping the walzt this sat is a real hit and he gets top marks with the judges, I am still hoping he is in the final.
Go Daren and Lilia!

Great pic!!

Lucky you!

Being a huge cricket fan, I never took to Darren as a cricketer (don't know why) so had not the greatest opinion of him before this show started...but he has totally won me over with his enthusiasm, dancing and all round niceness.

I was reading a cricket Biography today and they had not a bad word to say about him...I feel I am being won over more and more each day (mind you...I have wanted him in the final for a while now...along with another couple. )

Are you going to say who????

*whispers* I won't say...but check my location..and you might get it!


*doh..hits self on head...* Just saw your Mr Winky smiley!

Up again at 4.30 tomorrow and only had two hours sleep last night...oh the life of a cricket nut.

One thing that would get me up at that time would be Freddie in next years SCD!! I think we should start a new thread

So true!

I was thinking that at the weekend. I wonder how many of the people who are on an up in their careers in all spectrums of the showbiz world, will be on shows like SCD in 5/10 years time?

Mind you..Darren still plays...so it is not so true for him.....

I wouldn't mind rhumbaing with Freddie or Vaughany though!

He did say, in the Mirror interview on Saturday, that he would like to have a go at a 9 - 5 office job in London; just because he's never done anything like that before. His other options were gameshow host or cricket commentator.

Glen

P.S. Just loved hearing about the "Giggle Twins" wreaking havoc at the BBC yesterday. I only wish I'd set the video recorder properly, so I could watch it again.

They were still giggling during the Group Argentine Tango training session aswell!

Thanks to Victoria for sharing the Blackpool pic. Lovely!

I'm a Cricket Fan too, but sadly no Sky so it'll be the radio commentary for me.

It reminds me of when Darren's first son Liam was born, he was on Tour with England in Australia, and his wife Anna had to fax a pic of the baby over to him, awwwww.

By the way, recently I was reading up about a previous series of Dancing With the Stars in Australia, and they had a male celeb winner there called Tom something [a TV presenter, dark & handsome] whose partner was Kym Johnson [Camilla lookey-likey], well, she was engaged to Aussie Cricketer Shane Watson at the time, but ditched him for Tom. According to an Aussie lady I spoke to: "Oh, I'd have done the same!"

Sorry to go off topic with a load of goss!

I can't understand the first thing about cricket, I'm afraid. I only live 5 miles from Wigan & can see Bolton Wanderers ground from my front door so, as you can guess, I only follow rugby league.

I've just reached the opinion that Goughie is such a nice guy; so lacking in any of the airs & graces that you can find in celebs.

I also like the way; as I've stated elsewhere, that he was quick to point out, in the mirror interview, despite the fact that they are both "not ugly", he & Lilia are just good friends who dance together; thus quashing any chance of the rumour mill getting going before it starts.

I really do hope that they remain friends after the series finishes; I know he said he'd like that, &, anyway, who knows, maybe Darren Bennet is a typical Yorkshireman & loves cricket? We could see them all together at some of the televised matches (a treat for all those who drool over the Dazzler).

Glen

does anyone know, is Darren properly single?

Divorced, but still gets on very well with his ex.

Glen

His ex wife was there last saturday with the boys. A very attractive lady - and very encouraging, and applauding Darren all the time.

I know I've said this before - but having spoken to him several times over this series - I really feel he is a lovely genuine guy - who is absolutely loving what he is doing. No airs or graces, very obliging with fans - and what you see is what you get. Granny Gough must be very proud of him - bless her!!!

Hell, he's gorgeous.

I read that he wouldn't rule out getting back with his wife. That would be great for the kids I'm sure! I LOVE Darren, his ex-wife is silly for breaking up with him!

Goughy isn`t actually divorced guys (legally), they are seperated. Sorry to be picky, just thought I`d let u know. He`s just gotta win it, he`s amazing and amazing in the flesh too