As a former alumni of the old “Come Dancing” TV programme, I have to say that I am hooked on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing this year. Aside from the questionable music choices and inconsistencies in the judges marking (somethings never change) but it is more of a contest this year.
There have been brilliant matchups in terms of the competing couples. OK there have been some with obvious dancing experience, but that has always been the case since the first year.
But being the best dancer on Strictly was never enough, you had to connect with the viewers as well. And one thinks the public loves are those non dancers that get better each week, overcoming major barriers to get there.
We have seen Cricketers, TV Hosts, Cameramen who were the first to admit that they were no dancers, but there were no real complaints when they went managed to break down their personal barriers and stereotype images to go all the way and clinch the coveted “Glitterball” Trophy.
But when it came to breaking down barriers, Strictly has seen a number of disabled contenders who have shown tremendous resilience and discipline, rising about their disability to compete on equal terms, working towards their own personal challenges.
They did not come away from the big prize, but they had come away with the respect of so many people in the way they performed showing that nothing was going to stop from being the best version of themselves.
And there is one shining example from this year who has gone beyond his and millions of people’s expectations overcoming huge barriers and talked about going all the way to the title.
Chris McAusland for me, a brilliant Comedian who has been blind since his late teens/early 20s, with the support of his incredible partner, Dianne, has turned in many memorable performances that have captivated audience.
When he first started, they adopted the team’s name “winning isn’t everything,” which suggested that all he wanted to do was to show people that nothing should stop a person from achieving personal goals and be the best version of themselves.
That is a great train of thought to take. For me he was not thinking about winning the whole thing, in fact he did not think that he would not get past the opening weeks. Even if he did that, then he would have broken through barriers that was scary.
In life, you must challenge yourself, somethings, may be scary, or even impossible. But it is better to try and not succeed than no try at all. Note I did not mention the word fail.
I prefer the word learn.
If it does not work out the first time, you work out why that is the case then you come back stronger. And I would say that is what has been happening with Chris and Dianne, not being able to work out how to learn routines the conventional way,
But they found a way, and to quote Dianne, “they made it work together.” They did not make the challenge worse by panicking or guessing. I expect that there were ideas which they binned, but ten weeks or so, I would say they have exceeded their early expectations.
They may not be the best dancers, but they have been getting better each week, which is what “Strictly” is all about. People are even talking about them going all the way to the final.
If they get there, who knows what will happen.
So, what does that prove?
Well, if the objectives are realistic, anything is achievable in life if you set your mind to it and plan accordingly. You never now where it will lead.
It is better to try and not always succeed as opposed to not trying at all. In many cases you learn from it and come back stronger. In the end you may surpass your original targets.
If it is performing, broadcasting, or writing, it is all about personal challenges and development, I thrive on that, plus I also enjoy it.
If people like what I do, then that is a bonus. It is never my primary objective.
It has been a while since I did something on stage, but never say never. The broadcasting, continues, I have two radio shows on the go, and I am currently working on my next book. (Which remains a work in progress.)
I cannot go into too many details yet, but there is not a holiday camp in site.
It is going to be my biggest creative challenge yet.
And I do love a challenge.