Jane McGowan catches up with former Strictly favourite Ian Waite as he embarks on a UK tour
Ian Waite is a busy man. Not only is he set for global success with his dance exercise programme FitSteps Life – recently launched as an app – but the former Strictly Come Dancing pro is about to embark on a 60-date tour of the UK with his new dance show, Rhythm of the Night.
For three months Ian, along with his partner – another Strictly favourite Oti Mabuse – will be taking to the floor on stages across the nation, singer in melodious tow. Camberley Theatre can expect a visit this month.
“Yes, life is a bit hectic, but I like it that way,” says the 47-year-old. “I am really excited about the tour, as it’s a little bit different. Basically it’s me, Oti, her husband Marius and our diva Izzy Chase.”
As the show’s title suggests, you can expect some steamy sambas and fiery footwork from the pair, who will be performing dances such as the Argentine Tango, the cha cha and the rumba.
“It wasn’t our original plan,” admits Ian, “but once we started choosing the music, the theme and the flavour began to come through naturally. So we just decided to go with it.”
Ian first came to prominence as one of the pro dancers on the second series of Strictly, back in 2004. He quickly became an audience favourite, just missing out on the Glitterball trophy with Olympian Denise Lewis.
“Strictly is great fun, but it’s hard work too. It gets quite competitive among the professionals – but only between those with a good celebrity partner. If you know you’re going out early, you can relax a bit, but then the teaching is a lot harder, so it all balances out in a way.”
After seven years Ian quit the main show, before landing a role in the behind-the-scenes spin-off, It Takes Two. Twice weekly he hosts the instruction section. He enjoys the relaxed format, he says, as well as the insight it provides for die-hard Strictly fans.
“I love that show, and it’s about this time of the year that we get the call to say that we’re needed. Hopefully I will be back in September.”
Born in Reading in 1971, Ian began dancing aged 10, in the wake of his parents’ divorce.
“Basically, my dad heard that you could meet some nice single ladies at the dance club, but was too scared to go on his own, so he took me and my brother with him,” he laughs. “It took me a while to get involved, but one day I gave it a go and I was hooked.”
Ian excelled, winning competitions regionally and nationally. Yet despite his success, he kept his hobby to himself.
“Oh, there was no way I could have told people at school,” he admits. “You would’ve been asking for it. The first time I mentioned dancing was when I won the European Championships at 18.
“One of the things Strictly has done is made dancing accessible. You see world-class sportspeople in tears as they struggle to get the hang of the waltz. Then, when they get it, it’s so emotional and the audience are with them all the way. If someone had said to me 20 years ago that 13 million people would sit down on a Saturday night and watch a programme about ballroom, I would have just laughed at them.”
Strictly has certainly been good to Ian. Alongside fellow pro Natalie Lowe and former contestant and swimmer Mark Foster, he has also forged a career in the exercise world. In 2013, the trio launched FitSteps – an exercise programme designed to get people in shape through dance. And they haven’t looked back: with classes nationwide, they are now launching an app to help people get fit at home.
“We‘re doing a lot of masterclasses to get people involved, so I will be busy with that once the tour is over,” says Ian. “Then I think I’ll take a holiday.”
Quite right too.
Rhythm of the Night is at Camberley Theatre on Apr 20 & 21 (camberleytheatre.biz). For more on FitSteps Life visit: fitstepslife.com
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