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Original poster

Mystery man on Strictly Come Dancing - red hair and beard

136 replies

Elthamjohn · 29/12/2023 07:51

There is a man on Strictly Come Dancing, and he seems to be very powerful and important. But who is he?

Is he in charge of the programme?

He is always in the background when Claudia is presenting, mouthing words at the camera. And once, for Halloween, he dressed up as a ghost and then revealed that it had really in fact been him all along. But who is he?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
OnTheBoardwalk · 29/12/2023 16:43

Here you go @Elthamjohn (can’t believe I’m searching YouTube for Neil clips). It’s the way he half arsed rolls her on her head that gets me 😂

it's said Alex wanted to swap Neil for Kevin when he was injured

Alex and Neil Charleston to 'Pump Up the Jam' - Week 5 | BBC Strictly 2019

Stream Strictly LIVE on BBC iPlayer 💃🕺 https://bbc.in/2MyAdzwSubscribe and 🔔 to BBC Strictly ✨ https://bit.ly/2kzjjATSubscribe and 🔔 to BBC 👉 https://bi...

https://youtu.be/5YXgW3QLttU?si=7BWC1VC6_BTmnfzV

Original poster
Elthamjohn · 29/12/2023 16:55

I think Mumsnet should be all over the red-head bashing, tbh.

I hope Dawn Butler isn’t on here.

OP posts:
xsquared · 29/12/2023 17:01

Well, this is a strange thread and some of the comments about Neil are vile.

Neil Jones along with Katya, happens to be British, European and World Latin American Champions back in their competing days, and were ranked number 1 in England for the Professional Latin category.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

TV
xsquared · 29/12/2023 17:08

Plenty of videos of Neil and Katya dancing in competitions.

You very rarely see anywhere near that standard on Strictly, even in the pros group dance now, as it's mainly contemporary and pop video style choreography.

Neil Jones - Ekaterina Sokolova, Final Cha-Cha-Cha

Фестиваль Латиноамериканского Танца 2013, Государственный Кремлевский Дворец, г.Москва, РоссияFestival Of Latin American Dance 2013, Kremlin, Moscow, RussiaО...

https://youtu.be/30USQPwosbU?si=FhYWHBi1QCby4hPs

Sunshineismyfavourite · 29/12/2023 17:17

I don't actually disagree that his dancing skills are not a high standard. But Strictly is a TV show. It's about people more than it is about technically brilliant dancing. GB public vote for who they like to watch and see on TV not necessarily who did the best feather step or standing spin or whatever. 'One man's meat is another man's poison' or 'There's a seat for every ass' springs to mind.

noodlezoodle · 29/12/2023 17:44

This thread is hilarious. I am not a fan of him but that's because he is the spitting image of my childhood guinea pig.

RedToothBrush · 29/12/2023 17:45

The BBC know the sex appeal rankings with the target audience and act accordingly.

Neil Jones is competing against Giovanni, Gorka, Vito, Carlos, Kai, Graziano, Johannes and Nikita for a place with a partner.

Quite honestly all of the above (bar Nikita who I spied in Liverpool last year and thought ugh to) are very much more likely to get higher ratings.

For me it's not the ginger. It's the Mr Potatohead and beard that's the issue.

RedToothBrush · 29/12/2023 17:46

Although Kai also scores fairly highly on the Mr Potatohead thing. He's just sensible enough not to have a beard.

AuntieMarys · 29/12/2023 17:46

Why did I think he was called Kevin???

JayAlfredPrufrock · 29/12/2023 17:50

If you follow the strictly threads he’s pretty much disliked.

RedToothBrush · 29/12/2023 17:52

AuntieMarys · 29/12/2023 17:46

Why did I think he was called Kevin???

Cos of the short arse Kevin from Grimsby who I've always thought was a bit of a twat when it came to women....

autienotnaughty · 29/12/2023 18:02

So they have more professional dancers than celebs. This is so there's a few to do all group numbers (those partnered up don't necessarily do all group numbers)
And also back up to partner a celeb if a professional is injured or something.

Neil has had a celeb a couple of times. I think he partnered Alex Scott and they did quite well the other year.

He is quite animated in the claudatorium but I think that's just his personality.

Original poster
Elthamjohn · 29/12/2023 18:05

Is ‘Clauditorium’ what they call it? That’s very funny.

OP posts:
napody · 29/12/2023 18:57

RedToothBrush · 29/12/2023 17:45

The BBC know the sex appeal rankings with the target audience and act accordingly.

Neil Jones is competing against Giovanni, Gorka, Vito, Carlos, Kai, Graziano, Johannes and Nikita for a place with a partner.

Quite honestly all of the above (bar Nikita who I spied in Liverpool last year and thought ugh to) are very much more likely to get higher ratings.

For me it's not the ginger. It's the Mr Potatohead and beard that's the issue.

Agree it's definitely not the red hair that makes him unattractive... more his general 'desperate for the camera' demeanor! Love a ginger man myself.

I did wonder whether my daughter's Ed sheeran comment would come across as gingerphobic though! Not meant that way.

User56785 · 29/12/2023 20:01

napody · 29/12/2023 16:11

This thread has tickled me!

My 9 year old likes to spot him like Where's wally and shout "there's Ed Sheeran!"

Gosh.

Original poster
Elthamjohn · 29/12/2023 20:31

I just spoke to a relative about him and the question of why he seems to be so important to the programme, and they said—with absolute conviction—that he did a deal with the BBC not to sell his story at some point.

Relative is just an elderly telly-watcher. This is not me tapping insider knowledge or anything.

Maybe one day they will make a movie about it all…

OP posts:
MistletoeandMoccasins · 29/12/2023 20:33

I like Neil.
He partnered Tillie very well at Christmas.
He also got more out of Judy Murray than Tony Beak did.
Strictly didn't use to be about how hot the pros were.
I find Neil easier to deal with than Vito's Italian "look at my comic English" schtick, he had going on. And easier than Pissy Gorka.
They've treated Neil as badly as Cameron and Chloe.
Hope he continues to pick up the cash and play them at their own game.

MistletoeandMoccasins · 29/12/2023 20:36

He did a deal with the BBC not to sell his story at some point
Good. Anyone who gets served a NDA deserves a pay reward/long standing contract. He was shafted at the time.

scoutingfor · 29/12/2023 22:52

Elthamjohn · 29/12/2023 20:31

I just spoke to a relative about him and the question of why he seems to be so important to the programme, and they said—with absolute conviction—that he did a deal with the BBC not to sell his story at some point.

Relative is just an elderly telly-watcher. This is not me tapping insider knowledge or anything.

Maybe one day they will make a movie about it all…

Why do you think he is 'so important'?

He is literally just one of the pros. Less important than the ones who are regularly paired up if anything.

There were 15 celebrities and 19 pros this year. Why are you so obsessed with Neil?

AnneShirleysNewDress · 29/12/2023 23:45

I did mind Neil until I saw him as his alter ego Nell de Jaunes 😂

cordiality · 29/12/2023 23:51

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 29/12/2023 16:07

I've done a Latin workshop with them both, and preferred him to her. Horses for courses I suppose.

I read this @PolkadotsAndMoonbeams as meaning that Neil and Katya had come to you to learn the ancient language of Latin! I was most impressed that you offered these workshops to celebrities, and that they were so keen to advance their academic learning!! 🤣

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 30/12/2023 13:17

Finally a use for my years of Ecce Romani! Grin

Lentilweaver · 30/12/2023 13:31

Such a weird thread.

Reugny · 30/12/2023 13:46

Lentilweaver · 30/12/2023 13:31

Such a weird thread.

Like lots of threads on Mumsnet.

😊

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