Fleur East says doing ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ is “the best early Christmas present” she could've wished for.
Fleur East says Strictly is the best early Christmas present - Good Housekeeping UK + Nicky Johnston
The ‘Sax’ hitmaker - who is partnered with pro dancer Vito Coppola - wanted to take part in the star-studded BBC One Latin and ballroom competition for her late father Malcolm East, who died in 2020, because he “absolutely loved” it.
The 34-year-old singer told Good Housekeeping magazine’s December issue: “Getting the call to do 'Strictly' was the best early Christmas present I could have wished for – especially because my dad, who passed away two years ago, absolutely loved the show. I knew I had to do it for him.”
Fleur recalled her “favourite Christmas” when she took her dad, mum Irene and sister Keisha to Paris to spend the festive period with her fashion designer hubby Marcel Badiane-Robin’s family.
She said: “My favourite Christmas was in 2017, when I took my mum, dad and sister, Keshia, to Paris to spend it with my husband Marcel’s family, who are French. We went to Disneyland and saw the Eiffel Tower all lit up on Christmas Eve – and ate loads of foie gras and cheese on Christmas Day!”
Fleur’s fellow 'Strictly' contestant and “die-hard fan” of the dancing competition Ellie Simmonds also shared her festive memories connected to the show.
The 27-year-old Paralympic swimmer said: “The start of 'Strictly' on TV has always signalled the countdown to Christmas for me. I’m a die-hard fan and have watched it every single year, but never in a million years did I imagine I’d end up taking part.
“This year, we’ll be celebrating the loved ones we’ve lost. There’s normally around 12 of us at the dinner table, but as well as my grandma, my Auntie Shirley passed away recently and we’ve felt those losses hugely. If the last couple of years have taught me anything, it’s to appreciate every moment with special people.”
Read the full interview in the December 2022 issue of Good Housekeeping, now on sale. It is available in all supermarkets and online at MagsDirect.
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