Tristan In London - A New Interview

Photo Courtesy of Brendan Cole Twitter

Tristan's schedule the last few weeks has been almost non-stop. After 4 weeks of DWTS: At Sea cruises on Holland America, he then did the performances with Gladys Knight at the Hollywood Bowl before going to Canada for 12 shows in 8 days in Dance Temptation.  From there, he flew to London where he is now catching up with pro rehearsals for Strictly Come Dancing. Tristan took time on Saturday, August 30 to answer a few questions for us, and we can't thank him enough.


You’ve been rehearsing with the rest of the Strictly Come Dancing pros for about a week.  How is that going?

It’s been super - really, really fun - full on for sure.  Myself and Trent had a lot to catch up on but everyone has been spot on with us.   I couldn't have been helped any more to get settled.  The pros are solid.  I have been really made feel at home straight away, and the pros I never met before have treated me like I’ve known them for years so I’m really happy to be here and already feel very much at home with the cast.  It’s just a very positive environment to be in, and everyone is very genuine and excited about the new season.

You’ve danced before with many of the SCD pros.  How has it been catching up with them and since we love a good story, have there been any funny moments so far that you can share?  If not a funny story, any story will do – we aren’t particular.

Yeah, I have worked with the majority of the dancers before so we have been catching up on old times and what not.  There hasn't been too much messing around just yet to be honest.  We had a lot to learn this week so everyone has been making sure we get our melons around that first but it’s a good bunch with a great sense of humor so I can see us having the craic once we get going.   Myself and Trent people keep mixing up so I reckon if I get in any trouble I’ll be using that name a lot more than my own!

Obviously it’s a new experience, but after six seasons on Dancing With the Stars and now on to Strictly Come Dancing is there anything that stands out for you as being particularly different, challenging or unusual or is it just business as usual?

Well, so far it’s all been new, yeah.   I’ve made a conscious decision to make sure I'm not comparing anything because it’s all very different and the circumstances don't match up so it’s no use.  It’s very much about the celebs here so far which is the way it should be.  We all learn a routine together before the pairs are even announced so it’s great to get to meet everyone at the get go, and there is no motive of grabbing the one you want - haha.  There are some great personalities here this year.  I can't compare with any previous seasons but everything is very positive and there is no competitiveness just yet which is refreshing.  I'm sure it may change next week - haha - but at the minute it’s actually just nice to sit in a room and not 'talk shop'.

You probably haven’t had much free time, but have you had a chance to reacquaint yourself with London at all? You always have good Pike stories – how is he liking London?

No, not just yet.  It’s pretty much been studio and bed.  It’s difficult with the amount of hours I’m working at the minute so making sure I get family time each night and go do something together and get to play with Pikey as well has been all we have had time for.  My sister came over for a few days now as well so not too much getting around at the minute.  I was full of booze all the time I lived here last so it’s gonna be nice to take it all in this time round. 

We record the launch show this week and then we should know the plan of what’s gonna happen and then we will make sure we make the most of our time here.  Pikey loves it here though he won't leave us be.  When I finally get home he sits on us all the time and just wants to be included in everything but he is walking up to make friends with any animal he sees which is a change because before now he has been scared of everything.  We forget he is still a pup.

The launch show tapes this week and airs on Sunday, September 7, and that is when you will find out who your celebrity partner will be.  Are you looking forward to this new format? (not just for the launch show necessarily but for the show overall)

Looking forward to the launch show, yeah.  It’s different but I think it’s a great idea.  We get to rehearse and hang around with everyone at the beginning which is nice because it may be the only time we can.  In Hollywood we have the studios where four to five couples rehearse together daily or at least in the same building where as here it is pretty separate which isn't necessarily a bad thing but it’s just the first major difference so it’s nice I think for people at the start.  As well with it being a launch 'show' and not just an unveiling it gives the celebs a look into how it will be once they actually start the show because they have worked with the pros together to learn a routine and see how the live show works and going from studio to live studio and having an audience before the 'competition' starts.  We have met a few people from each department already as well so wardrobe and hair/make-up seem like a great bunch, and I love the banter and humor here.  It’s a lot more relaxed and offensive here – hahaha!  I love it!