Strictly Come Dancing 2010

[Perdita]

STRICTLY Come Dancing was plunged into turmoil last night after one of its new stars had to fly back to America to avoid the risk of being DEPORTED.
Russian-born Artem Chigvintsev was told he would be kicked out of Britain as he had two jobs and was working too many hours.

The pro dancer had been poached by the Beeb from West End musical Burn the Floor, but kept working there.

But under Home Office rules he can only do 20 hours a week in a second job - and Burn the Floor wanted him for 38.

In heated emails to the musical's bosses, Beeb producers said that he was risking his visa and had to quit.

After Burn the Floor refused the BBC ordered Artem, 28, back to America, where he lives, to reapply for a work visa. It then launched a hunt for a stand-in for the opening shows.

A Strictly insider said: "It's embarrassing for the BBC. They basically had to do this to stop Artem being deported."

But Burn the Floor's furious creator Harley Medcalf has now threatened to sue the Beeb.

He said: "They have been arrogant and tried to bully us."

The BBC denied the claims and said that it had behaved "appropriately and transparently".

Artem was a contestant on season one of America's So You Think You Can Dance, an assistant choreographer for season two and appeared on Dancing With The Stars.

In an email seen by The Sun, a Strictly assistant producer told Artem's agent: "The UKBA (UK Border Agency) have told the BBC once the visa is issued Artem's sponsor will be the BBC and he can work 20 hours a week on Burn the Floor. For us, Artem cannot go over 20 hours at all for fear of being deported.

"We cannot stress how important this is. Strictly is so high-profile in the UK that we cannot put a foot wrong."

The Home Office said it was aware of the situation but would not comment.

The new series of Strictly starts in September, with dancers beginning rehearsals this week.



Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...#ixzz0vhgigDEE

[tammyy2j]

A professional dancer scheduled to take part in the new series of 'Strictly Come Dancing' has reportedly had to go back to America in a bid to sort out visa problems.

According to The Sun, Artem Chigvintsev is being threatened with deportation as the overseas dancer is not allowed to work more than 20 hours a week in a second job, under Home Office regulations.

Chigvintsev has agreed to appear in 'Strictly Come Dancing' next month despite already working 38 hours for West End musical 'Burn the Floor'. He is now trying to reapply for a work visa so he can keep both jobs.

The Sun also reports that a 'Strictly' assistant producer told his agent: "The UKBA (UK Border Agency) have told the BBC that once the visa is issued Artem's sponsor will be the BBC and he can work 20 hours a week on 'Burn the Floor'. For us, Artem cannot go over 20 hours at all for fear of being deported.

"We cannot stress how important this is. ‘Strictly’ is so high-profile in the UK that we cannot put a foot wrong."

[Dutchgirl]

Well this Artem guy also has to take responsibility. He has to state what he likes to do than rather playing two parties against each other.

[Perdita]

Alex Reid has reportedly been rejected by the producers of Strictly Come Dancing.

According to the Daily Star, the cage fighter wanted to appear on the show to raise his profile, but bosses deemed him unsuitable and refused him a place.

His agents allegedly wanted to show viewers his softer side and believed he had a good chance of winning the competition.

A source said: "Alex is very co-ordinated, thanks to his fight skills, and fancies himself as a bit of a mover. But BBC bosses were less than impressed and they made it clear he wasn’t their type of market."

However, a spokeswoman for Reid said: "With Alex’s TV and fight commitments, Strictly Come Dancing would not have fitted into his schedule."

Reid, who is married to Katie Price, won Celebrity Big Brother in January of this year.

[Abbie]

Lol I wouldnt want to see him on there

[Dutchgirl]

Lol I wouldnt want to see him on there

Even more so if his wife was to trod along!!!

[Abbie]

I think thats why they dont want him on there

[tammyy2j]

Lilia Kopylova has admitted that she was "inconsolable" after having her role reduced on Strictly Come Dancing.

The 32-year-old Russian, who won the show in 2005 with Darren Gough, was one of the professional dancers offered a part in a new dance troupe rather than a celebrity partner.

Kopylova turned down the dance troupe offer, announcing that she was leaving the BBC One reality series last month. Her husband Darren Bennett will remain on the programme.

Speaking about her departure, she told The Mirror: "I was inconsolable. When I rang the BBC and told them I didn't want to take the new role on Strictly, I felt incredibly emotional.

"As soon as I put the phone down, I burst into tears and then carried on for around 40 minutes. It was one of the hardest decisions of my life, causing me lots of sleepless nights."

She said that the producers' decision to offer her a smaller role in the show had been like a "total bolt out of the blue".

"I didn't cry there and then in the meeting, because I am very professional, but I was very upset inside," she said. "Afterwards, Darren and I were in shock. You do think, 'Why us?' We've been the most successful couple."

The eighth series of Strictly will air in the autumn on BBC One.

[Chloe O'brien]

The beeb have made a huge mistake axing Lila and the other professionals.

[Dutchgirl]

The beeb have made a huge mistake axing Lila and the other professionals.

I touht she had a real good sparkle.