"My foxtrot frock"

Ali features in the November issue of Company magazine in the beautiful dress that she wore to dance the foxtrot with Brian in Strictly last year. She says: "I'll never forget how incredible I felt wearing it that night." They danced to Michael Buble's I Haven't Met You Yet.

Unfortunately Ali didn't get to keep the frock which is from Dancesport International - it has been sold to a fan who bought it for £1,400.




Photo by Katie Kaars.

Ali goes to the ball to support breast cancer awareness month

Ali has joined other celebrities to show their support for events taking place in October as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

She attended the Breast Cancer Campaign's annual Pink Ribbon Ball on Saturday 9th October at the Dorchester Hotel in London, along with Camilla Dallerup, Kevin Sacre and Martine McCutcheon.

Ali spoke at the event and said afterwards: "I've had a really nice time tonight and it's so nice to see a room full of supporters who want to make a difference to people affected by breast cancer. The cause is really important to me and so I'm proud to support Breast Cancer Campaign and the fabulous work they do in helping the many thousands of women affected by this disease."

Ali, who lost her grandmother and aunt to breast cancer, spoke to Prima magazine this month about her family's loss. This year's ball is expected to raise more than £200,000 for the charity which funds research into breast cancer in the UK. Kevin Sacre tweeted a pic of Camilla and Ali together on the night.

Other events taking part this month include Pink Aerobics, which Ali helped publicise, and the QVC Breast Cancer Care Event this week on Wednesday 13th October. Shoppers at the QVC television channel can raise money for Breast Cancer Care when they buy items in the evening show from 8pm. (Thank you to Pennybel from the DS Ali & Brian Appreciation thread for highlighting this event.)

Ali and Brian split up

Ali and Brian have split up, according to a report in the Daily Mail last week.

I set up this blog several months ago to follow Ali and Brian's professional work after being inspired by watching them on Strictly last year. It is easy to say that their personal relationship should stay personal but for Ali and Brian, their personal relationship was played out in public from the beginning. Even when it was in its early stages, their emotional connection jumped out from the television screen - transforming their dance performances into something truly special. It was this that many, many people responded to.

They went on to perform together in the Strictly celeb tour, at Blackpool and Paignton when Ali stood in for Kristina, and then in Burn the Floor. I thank them for all their performances - like many of their supporters I have been inspired by them to go and see some wonderful dance events - the pro tour, Brian and Kristina, and then Burn the Floor. Without them, I know that I would never have had these experiences.

This blog will continue to follow their careers and other endeavours. Ali has shown a strong commitment to breast cancer charities and I will support this as much as I can. And I know that Brian will soon be back performing live - on some stage, somewhere in the world anyway. He is also involved in a dance DVD which will be released at the end of November and possibly a TV show.

I wish them health and happiness in whatever they choose to do. Thank you, Ali and Brian.

Ali and Kristina step into the night for charity

Ali and Kristina took part in Step Into the Night, a sponsored 10 kilometre walk in London, last night to help raise money for vulnerable children in the UK and Rwanda. They were among several celebrities and more than 1,000 sponsored walkers who pounded London's streets in aid of charity.

The walk started at Potters Fields near London Bridge at 7pm and took a circular route which included Tower Bridge, to finish back at the starting point.

The event was sponsored by Barclays Bank and was in aid of UNICEF's campaign to provide education to children in Rwanda, and the Have a Heart charity, run by Heart FM radio in aid of disadvantaged children in London.

Other celebs who took part included Joe Calzaghe and Michelle Williams who is in this year's Strictly.

Other pics here.

Ali raises a cuppa for forces charity

Ali helped to launch The Big Brew Up in aid of SSFA, the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association, at Wellington Barracks in London today.

The event runs from 4th to 10th October and encourages people to raise money by organising a get-together over a cup of tea. Money raised goes to the SSFA charity which helps members of the forces and their families. This year the SSFA celebrates its 125th anniversary.

Ali said: “When you’re serving overseas there’s nothing like a nice cup of tea to remind you of home. By holding their own Big Brew Ups, people can take some time out with family, friends or colleagues for a cuppa and think about the dedication of our troops and their families.”

She is pictured with soldiers from the Grenadier Guards. During Strictly last year, Ali visited Catterick garrison with other celebs and dancers to meet the soldiers there.

Today's event follows a series of charity and publicity engagements by Ali since Burn the Floor ended on 4th September.

On Monday 13th September, Ali helped raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust by trading shares during the charity trading day in Canary Wharf, London, organised by city firm BGC Partners in memory of New York colleagues who died on 11th September 2001.

Congratulations also to the TAFFS who raised £300 to purchase a BTF poster signed by Brian, Ali and all the London cast. The money will go to the Steve Waugh Foundation which helps children with rare diseases in Asia and Africa.

Ali talks about her own Women of Courage

Ali talks to Prima magazine about how her grandmother and her aunt have inspired her to support breast cancer charities such as Breakthrough Breast Cancer and to become patron of Prima's Women of Courage Awards.

The interview is in the October issue of Prima.

Strictly celeb list

For the list of Strictly celebs that was leaked on the net today, please link to my new Strictly blog Strictly Special.

The Strictly Awesomeness blog will continue with news from Ali and Brian, and whatever projects they do in the future.

Thanks.