Brian chills out in Bermuda

Brian spent the weekend in Bermuda, as a judge at the WDC World Pro-Am Dancing Championships, and also managed to find time to go for a dip, although for some reason he seems to have not packed his swim things...





Pic from Rooster PR, which is the PR company for the Bermuda Tourism department.

No Rydell High for Brian

Brian has not been cast in the UK touring production of the musical Grease, despite rumours that circulated following comments made during London Fashion Week.

Grease, which is choreographed by Arlene Phillips, closes its four-year run in London's West End in April and opens on tour in Edinburgh in May.

Danny Bayne, from ITV's Grease is the Word, will play Danny Zuko alongside Carina Gillespie, the current Sandy, according to What's On Stage.

"We're good mates"

Brian and Ali exchanged a friendly hug when they met at the What's On Stage Awards on Sunday night, in their first public meeting since they split up in October.

They were both at the event because of their joint nomination as London Newcomer of the Year in Burn the Floor last summer. The award was won by Jonathan Groff but huge congratulations to Ali and Brian for being nominated - and also to Jason Gilkison, from BTF, for his What's On Stage nomination as Best Choreographer.

After the ceremony, both Ali and Brian thanked their supporters for voting for them: Ali tweeted: "Thank you so so much to all who voted for me in the WOS awards, an honour to be nominated and a fab evening with the lovely Lucy Speed," while Brian also thanked the TAFFs, saying: "Great time at the WOS awards last night. Wonderful to see my TAFFs there. Thank you for your continued support!!

Ali: "Life is really good"

Ali loves being back on stage and performing in Verdict, she told the ThisisDevon website in an interview to mark the show's appearance in Plymouth this week. It has also given her a chance to see family members who live in Devon.

The play was also reviewed here. For tour dates, see Break a leg, Ali!.

Ali has also confirmed that she will be attending the WhatsOnStage Awards Concert on Sunday 20 February at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London as a nominee for Best Newcomer for her performance in Burn the Floor. Brian has also confirmed that he will be attending the event.

The concert is sold out but last-minute tickets will be released on Friday - see the What's On Stage Awards waiting list page.

Brian's new starring role

Brian starts filming this week in a short film called Love Plus One. His co-stars are Alison Carroll, known for being the official Lara Croft model in the Tomb Raider game franchise, and Andy Barnes.

Brian and Alison are pictured at the Capital Rocks event in London last December.

Interview with Ali

Ali talks to the Bristol Evening Post about her role in Verdict - and life after Strictly.

Some reviews here: Wiltshire Gazette and Herald and Guide2Bath.

Ali is also modelling for Littlewoods' new Drama Queens collection and features in a video of the modelling shoot.

Break a leg, Ali!

Ali begins her role in Verdict tomorrow at the Theatre Royal in her home turf of Windsor. The play was written by Agatha Christie and is Ali's first stage role since Burn the Floor last summer.

The play will run in Windsor until Saturday 22nd January, after which it transfers to the Theatre Royal in Bath and then other venues. Ali appears in the show until 30th April at the Richmond Theatre in Richmond, west London.

Ali now has her own Appreciation Thread on Digital Spy where there will no doubt be reviews and reports from the show. Click on the right of the page.

11 - 22 Jan Theatre Royal, Windsor 01753 853 888
24 -29 Jan Theatre Royal, Bath 01225 448844
31 Jan - 5 Feb Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham 01242 572573
7 -12 Feb Theatre Royal, Plymouth 01752 230440
15 - 19 Feb New Theatre, Cardiff 029 2087 8889
21 - 26 Feb Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton 01902 429212
28 Feb - 5 Mar Queen's Theatre, Barnstaple 01272 324242
7 - 12 Mar Palace Theatre, Southend 01702 351135
14 - 19 Mar Swan Theatre, High Wycombe 01494 512 000
21 - 26 Mar Festival Theatre, Malvern 01684 892277
28 Mar - 2 Apr Churchill Theatre, Bromley 08448 717 620
4 - 9 Apr Derby Theatre, Derby 01332 255800
11 - 16 Apr Arts Theatre,Cambridge 01223 503333
18 - 23 Apr Connaught Theatre, Worthing
25 - 30 Apr Richmond Theatre, Richmond 0844 871 7651

Verdict will continue but please note that casting is not confirmed for the following venues so Ali may not be appearing. More information closer to the time.
16 - 21 May Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells 01892 530613
23 - 28 May Floral Pavilion, New Brighton 0151 666 0000
30 May - 4 Jun Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford 01483 44 00 00