Interview With Tristan - January 30, 2015

Photo Courtesy of Claire Starkey

In the middle of a very busy few weeks on the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour, Tristan graciously took time to answer a few of your questions.  We hope you enjoy this interview as much as we do!

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After a couple of weeks on the tour, do you have a few favorite dances (or a few standout performances) from the show? (other than the Charleston and American Smooth you do with Caroline)

I enjoy all the dances for different reasons on the tour.  It changes daily really depending on how everyone does them.  I like that the tour has less stress for everyone than the show so you get to see people enjoy doing the dances more, and everyone has a special venue I guess when it’s their home town so its like a new show every day or at least every few days.  I like that we are getting to see a lot of different cities across the UK, and I will miss the tour when it finishes in a little under two weeks.

How about a favorite dance that you perform with Caroline?

I enjoy “Mack The Knife” that we do more so than the Charleston mainly because I love the song and it’s a Foxtrot.

You have been in lots of different venues on this tour, but it there an arena or a city that you have especially enjoyed? I’m sure they were all wonderful but did something in particular stand out?

The crowds have been great so far.  I really enjoyed being in Manchester, and I had my cousins come see the show so that was fun.  Newcastle was unreal, and we have just got home from the first show in Glasgow and this has been the best so far.  I’m really looking forward to the London shows because I’ve never been in the O2 Arena, and I was only in Wembley to watch the football so that will be special.  I love Glasgow.  I wish we got to go to Dublin though and Belfast would have been nice.

We’ve heard very nice things about the tour but has there been an “oops” moment? For example, any forgotten choreography, missed cues, wardrobe malfunctions, etc.

All the above, yeah, haha! My collar popped off my tail suit the very first show.  I still don't know how that happened.  I think my Charleston costume is a malfunction of its own!! There are always missed steps from everyone.  Sometimes you get distracted interacting with the audience and then sometimes you just miss something but nothing too major so far - touch wood! 

Have you been able to get back to London at all for an off day or two during the tour or have you remained on the road the entire time?

I don't go back to London, no.  I don't live there anymore so I stay on the road on the days off.  Recovery time is much needed for me - haha.  I spend the days off looking around the towns and then gym and usually icing.

What has been the most enjoyable part of this tour for you thus far?

Best part of the tour so far happened tonight [Friday in Glasgow].  Thom came out to do his salsa in a kilt.... not that part.... but he led that into the Scottish National Anthem and the whole place erupted into the song.  It was amazing.  That's what it’s all about and that’s what I remember most  - none of the dances or the results - just the audience all coming together and the pride in the room was amazing!

You and Caroline have had a lot of success on the tour, but what would you say are her strengths and how has it been working with her these last few weeks?

Caz is great, yeah, we get on well, and it’s just easy times - laughing and doing a bit of dancing.  Rach is on the tour as well.  She came in to replace Frankie so it’s good having her here as well.  I like her a lot and the two of them knock about with each other so that’s cool.  Caz just loves dancing and she really enjoyed doing the show, and I guess that’s the best trait - when you enjoy doing what you are doing every day no matter how many times you do it!


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Thanks to Tristan for another fun and informative interview.  Please feel free to leave your comments for him below.