We’ve got chills – it’s time for the Strictly Halloween special!
We’ve got chills – it’s time for the Strictly Halloween special!
We never used to be too bothered about Halloween, but since Strictly introduced its annual spooktaculars, we’ve started marking it in our diary!
Expect chilling cha chas, petrifying pasos and some truly terrible puns as the ballroom is lavished in pumpkins and cobwebs, and the couples dance their socks off to keep their places in the competition.
It’s difficult to imagine how the costume, hair and make-up teams will beat turning Stacey and Kevin into minions for this year’s Movie Week, but we’re sure they’ve got something up their sequined sleeves.
And the judges usually get into the ‘spirit’ of things, too.
TV Times isn’t scared at all – we’ve invited three of the friendliest contestants of all time to guide us round the building. Steps star Faye Tozer, 42, This Morning medic Dr Ranj Singh, 39, and world champion triathlete Lauren Steadman, 25, took up our challenge to shake off their smiles and go over to the dark side for our exclusive photoshoot, and the results are simply spellbinding!
The trio reveal their biggest fears, why Halloween is fang-tastic, and why being on Strictly is a real treat…
How does it feel to be celebrating Halloween, Strictly style?
Ranj I’m a Strictly superfan and the Halloween special is my favourite week. I know people talk about Blackpool, but this is the one for me because I love dressing up! Faye Steps performed on last year’s Halloween special and we got to witness all the fabulous stuff behind the scenes. So to be here this year and have that experience myself, I can’t wait. Lauren I’m the sort of girl that loves all holidays, especially Halloween. I’m always dressing up and the idea of all the couples being in crazy outfits is so exciting.
Do you like Halloween parties?
Faye We have a big box of Halloween decorations that we get down, our house gets covered and we get everyone to dress up and come round for a party. My son wants to be a zombie this year. Lauren I go to three or four Halloween parties every year! I don’t do the sweets but I love to get dressed up. I usually spend an hour painting my face and then I have to do everyone else’s, too! Ranj It’s just a great time of year. I have to go to at least one Halloween fancy dress party each year. I’ve started face painting, too, and using gold leaf, glitter and rhinestones. It usually takes me about four hours to get ready.
What scares you?
Lauren I’m a bit of a chicken when it comes to scary stuff; I don’t like scary movies and if there was a big spider I’m not sure I’d be very happy about that either. I’d have to call my sister to remove it! Faye Spiders are my biggest fear. I’m happy with rodents, though. I adopted two rats a few years ago… Ranj I can’t watch horror films. The last one I saw was several years ago and I didn’t sleep for three nights afterwards. I can be brave if I need to be, though, and I’m not freaked out by gore – that’s a good thing given the job I do!
TV Times rating: *****
