Television presenter Will Best has opened up about his anxieties ahead of competing in the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing, revealing that his established pre-show ritual will feel “very weird” without his usual co-host, AJ Odudu. Best is set to join the BBC series shortly after returning to his hosting duties for Big Brother.
Strictly Nerves and Ritual Changes
Best, 41, from London, admitted his primary fear regarding Strictly Come Dancing is “getting lost on the dancefloor and not knowing what my legs are supposed to do next”, as reported by OK! Magazine. He joked that his lack of TikTok dance proficiency, where routines take him “about a week to learn,” underscores his apprehension.
He detailed his specific pre-show routine for live Big Brother broadcasts: “Before every live Big Brother show, I have one small beer, a cola, and a water – separately! I basically have three drinks and it’s always quite difficult to hold them all.” Best expects to adapt this, particularly avoiding cola before dancing to prevent being “gassy if I am very close to somebody else’s face”.
The biggest adjustment for his Strictly appearances will be the absence of AJ Odudu, his Big Brother co-host. Best explained, “I also always give AJ a hug before going live, so it’s going to be so weird getting all spruced up in my Cuban heels and my low-cut shirts and not having AJ there to wave me off onto the stage!”
Openness to Same-Sex Partnership
Addressing potential dance partners, Best told Attitude magazine that he would be “very happy with a male partner.” However, he noted a practical challenge: “They’re all too tall for me,” which could impact the number of lifts possible. Despite this, he suggested getting lifted himself “would arguably be more fun anyway.”
If paired with a male professional, Will Best, who is straight, would be the first straight celebrity in Strictly history to have a same-sex partner. Previous same-sex pairings, such as Olympic boxer Nicola Adams with Katya Jones and celebrity baker John Whaite with Johannes Radebe, have all involved at least one publicly LGBTQ+ individual, according to attitude.co.uk.
Balancing Big Brother and Ballroom
The presenter’s Strictly journey will coincide with his return to co-hosting Big Brother alongside AJ Odudu. The new series of Big Brother is scheduled to commence on Sunday, September 13, at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX. The Strictly Come Dancing launch show will then follow on September 19 at 7.25pm on BBC1, featuring judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke, as reported by wheretowatch.tv.
Will Best shared his personal motivations for taking on the challenge, stating it’s “mainly for myself and my children. I want to show them that you can do anything if you’re brave and you work hard.” He also expressed excitement for the training aspect of the show, telling wheretowatch.tv, “I’m actually most looking forward to the training… and meeting everybody else.”
Among his fellow contestants are former Love Island star Dani Dyer, EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, and ex-footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips. Other announced participants include Australia’s Eurovision entry Delta Goodrem, celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, and actress Bethany Antonia.
What This Means for Bristol and South West Viewers
For viewers in Bristol and the South West, Will Best’s dual role on two major entertainment shows means a packed schedule of viewing. His journey on Strictly Come Dancing will offer a unique perspective as he balances the demands of live ballroom dancing with his co-hosting duties on Big Brother. Bristol Press also brings you a wide array of other news, from updates on football transfers to insights into upcoming film remakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When do Will Best’s new shows start?
Will Best will co-host the new series of Big Brother starting Sunday, September 13, at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX. The Strictly Come Dancing launch show, featuring Best, will air on September 19 at 7.25pm on BBC1. - What is Will Best most nervous about for Strictly?
He is primarily nervous about “getting lost on the dancefloor and not knowing what my legs are supposed to do next” and remembering the routines. - What is Will Best’s typical pre-show ritual?
Before live Big Brother shows, he has one small beer, a cola, and a water, and always gives his co-host AJ Odudu a hug. - Is Will Best open to a same-sex dance partner on Strictly?
Yes, he has stated he would be “very happy with a male partner,” though he noted potential issues with height differences affecting lifts.
