DanceX
The host
Ben Shephard – the host
Ben got his first TV break in 1998, and his presenting career has gone from strength to strength. Since he started, Ben has fronted a wide range of programmes and currently has a regular seat on the GMTV sofa, along with co-presenting showbiz spin-off Entertainment Today.
Ben on fronting a BBC One Saturday night show
"It's fantastic," he says. "I'm so excited to be doing a totally new show. If anyone had asked me a few years ago what my goal was, I wouldn't have dared say to front a prime-time show for the BBC, as I never thought it would happen. It's as good as it gets."
On being in the middle of Arlene and Bruno
Far from taking sides, Ben's looking forward to upping the tension on DanceX. "I'll be stirring it up!" he says. "They're so different it'll be like I'm the ringmaster. Bruno is all passion and panache. During the auditions he couldn't stop himself dancing. Arlene's more focused. She knows exactly what she’s looking for and doesn't waste any time in saying so. She can be brutal, but is always honest!"
On dancing
With a 2:1 degree in Dance, Drama and Theatre Arts, Ben should be able hold his own on the dance floor. However, on the contrary, he says: "I'm a dad now, so I've got an excuse to dance like one! I was once at a party and nearly knee-capped Phillip Schofield with one of my moves, so, for health and safety reasons, I'll be leaving the dance floor free for the contestants."
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