STRICTLY singer Tommy Blaize has revealed the band have done a sweepstake for the winner.

The soul singer, set to embark on his debut solo tour in Tamworth next March, said: “We don’t normally but this year we did a sweepstake. 

“I got Angela Scanlon. There are no prizes whatsoever – just our pride!”

Meanwhile Tommy admitted that late judge Len Goodman, who passed away in April aged 78, believed the BBC hit show would not make it past the pilot. 

Tommy, who has been on the show since it started in 2004, said: “It is really rare to have a series go this long.

“I remember talking to Len Goodman, and we have spoken about this before, it was the first week we have done the pilot at the BBC TV centre and in the circle bit everyone normally goes out and people have a cigarette or whatever.

more on strictly come dancing

KEEP DANCING!

Strictly in fix row as fans are convinced judges are overscoring contestant

FAKE SHOW

Strictly fans furious and claim show is ‘rigged’ as ‘wrong person’ in bottom two

“We are sitting out there just having a little chat and I said, ‘What are you doing next week?’

“He said, ‘I don’t know, I don’t think this will last very long.’ But 21 years later it is still going and still seems to be picking up the pace.” 

Speaking about life on the show, Tommy, who sings ballads on the series, revealed what the cast and crew tuck into after the cameras stop rolling. 

He said: “It is mostly pizzas! On Friday and Saturday there are a lot of pizzas there – it is a very, very long day I have to admit. 

Most read in News TV

OUT OF STEP

Zara McDermott reveals reason why she thinks Strictly fans didn’t vote for her

LOVE SPLIT

Strictly dancer splits from property mogul and ‘doesn’t want any distractions’

ready to tango

Bobby Brazier ‘besotted’ with model ex and invites her to Strictly

HOT FAVOURITE

Christine Lampard emerges as front-runner to replace Holly on This Morning

“Sometimes we are on the floor from 8.30am until 11 at night which is a hell of a long day.”

Asked how he keeps his voice intact, he said: “I tend to have a jar of pineapple at the side of me which I find really helps me when I have a little bit of a sore throat. 

“All of the singers have their own little habits – ginger, some of them will just have honey and water but I find pineapple is the one for me that helps me out.”

Source: Read Full Article