Her Strictly days may be over, but Erin Boag will soon be back on tour. Miranda Jessop finds her sequin-less in Surrey...
I am on my way to meet Erin Boag and, try as I might, I just can’t stop humming the catchy Strictly Come Dancing theme tune. For Erin is, of course, one of Strictly’s best-loved professional dancers, who starred in a total of 10 series before hanging up her sparkly shoes.
But today there is not a sequin in sight, as Erin is in relaxed mode at home in Surbiton. Post-Strictly she has established her own local dance classes, giving weekly lessons to enthusiasts keen to learn the quickstep or two.
Born in New Zealand, Erin was four years old when she first started dancing. Like many young girls, she took ballet, tap and ballroom classes, but it was a trip to watch a high-profile ballroom competition in Sydney at the age of 15 that was to have a profound effect on her.
“The dancing was just incredible. It made me realise that this was what I wanted to do with my life and I started to train very seriously,” she explains.
Erin found a dance partner who would also become her boyfriend, and within a few years, they had become New Zealand ballroom champions. After a brief spell in Australia, they decided to relocate to the UK so as to further their dancing careers.
And so, in 1996, Erin and her partner arrived in London with just a couple of suitcases. Erin had organised a nannying job with a family in Esher, but they needed somewhere to live. It was while looking on the map to see where Esher was that Erin spotted a familiar place name.
“I knew Surbiton because, back in New Zealand, we used to love watching The Good Life. I didn’t know much about the UK, but I did know Coronation Street, EastEnders and The Good Life!”
So Erin and her partner took the train to Surbiton where they saw a notice in a newsagent’s window advertising a one-bedroom flat to rent. They moved in the following week.
It was just one year later that Anton du Beke made a significant appearance in Erin’s life. She had split from her boyfriend and needed to find somebody new to dance with. So she drew up a list of five possible partners she knew from the dance circuit who might be suitable. Anton’s name was right at the top.
“As luck would have it, he was the perfect height for me, had just split up from his dance partner and was also very funny.”
Erin and Anton began as amateurs, moving up the rankings before turning professional in 2002. Two years later, their lives took an unexpected turn when they received an email from the BBC, asking if they were interested in auditioning for a new ballroom dancing show.
“We were a bit sceptical at first,” admits Erin. “Ballroom wasn’t that popular with the general public at the time and we were concerned that the BBC might be trying to make fun of our sport.”
After a rigorous interview and audition process, Erin and Anton were both offered roles as professional dancers.
“They told us that the show was to be called Strictly Come Dancing. When we heard that the host was Bruce Forsyth, we were so excited. But I don’t think anybody knew just how big and successful the series was going to be.”
Appearing as professional dancers on Strictly was to prove a huge commitment, and Erin and Anton soon realised that they wouldn’t be able to continue with the competition circuit.
“By signing up to Strictly, we made the decision to go down a completely different route, which was difficult at the time. But I have no regrets at all. It was a wonderful show to be a part of.”
Over the years, Erin’s celebrity partners included Julian Clary, Austin Healey, Colin Jackson and Rory Bremner. She also danced with Vince Cable on a Christmas special and the politician’s prowess on the dance floor clearly made a lasting impression.
“Do you know what?” she exclaims. “That man can really dance!”
In 2014, Erin decided to call time on Strictly. She had been married to a business consultant, Peter O’Dowd for several years and they wanted to start a family.
“I was lucky, as it happened more or less straight away,” she says.
Even so, she continued to dance until she was five and a half months pregnant, appearing with Anton in a Christmas performance at The Royal Albert Hall.
“Anton told everyone I had eaten too many mince pies,” she laughs.
She was dancing again just seven weeks after her son, Ewan was born.
Today, post-Strictly, Erin and Anton still perform together. They completed their 10th nationwide tour in 2018 and are about to embark on their 11th – Anton and Erin... Dance Those Magical Musicals – which arrives in Woking this month (Jan 27), and then Guildford (Feb 23).
“We both absolutely adore musicals,” says Erin. “So we decided to choose our favourite shows and then pick the most iconic numbers, so the audience can really get behind them.”
The pair will be joined on stage by six other dancers and two vocalists, all accompanied by a 26-piece orchestra. So, after releasing From The Top – a debut album of songs old and new – back in 2017, will Anton himself be tempted to treat the audience to a tune?
“He’s a great singer and the audience loves it. You never know, I may be tempted to join in too.”
Between Anton’s Strictly appearances and Erin’s teaching commitments, preparations for the tour are pretty full on. Luckily, Erin’s mum doesn’t mind making the 23-hour trip to help keep the home fires burning while her daughter hits the road.
“Ewan loves having her here. I think it’s his favourite part of the year,” laughs Erin. “And it’s wonderful for me to know that she’s there and that she really enjoys doing nana duty.”
Having coached so many celebrities, Erin still loves to teach. Any Surrey residents bitten by the Strictly bug might like to go along to her weekly ‘Strictly Ballroom’ classes at Hollyfield School, up in Surbiton.
“I run two different drop-in sessions on a Monday evening, one for beginners and the other for improvers. You don’t need to bring a partner and it’s a great way to get fit, meet people and learn a new skill.
“When I was growing up, I often used to say to my mum that I wanted people to think of ballroom dancing when they heard my name. That’s why it makes me incredibly happy that so many people have taken up dancing because of Strictly. I am very honoured to have been a part of that.”
For more information go to www.erinboag.com. Anton & Erin… Dance Those Magical Musicals is at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking, Jan 27 and at G Live on Feb 23. For tickets visit: www.antonanderin.com
