“Les Dennis: The Dazzling All-Round Entertainer Shaking up Strictly”

Les Dennis: Strictly’s All-Round Entertainer Bringing Dazzle to the Dancefloor

Buckle up, dance fans – Strictly Come Dancing is back, providing the nation with a steady supply of glitz all the way until Christmas. For series 21, 15 familiar faces have signed up to impress the judging panel and the audience at home alike with their hard work on the dancefloor. Among them is 69-year-old Les Dennis, a versatile entertainer with a long and successful career in comedy, television, and stage performances.

A Multi-Talented Performer

Les Dennis was born Leslie Dennis Heseltine in 1953 in Garston, a suburb of Liverpool. After leaving school in 1972, Dennis embarked on his comedy career on the local circuit, performing in social and working men’s clubs across England’s north-west. He first gained recognition when he won the ITV talent show New Faces in 1974.

In the early Eighties, Dennis teamed up with impressionist Dustin Gee and hosted the BBC comedy series The Laughter Show. After Gee’s sudden death in 1986, Dennis continued to lead the show alone. However, it was his role as the host of Family Fortunes that firmly cemented his place in the hearts of the nation. Dennis hosted the survey-based game show for 15 years until his departure in 2002.

An Insulting Pay Cut

In a July 2023 edition of Kate Thornton’s White Wine Question Time podcast, Dennis revealed that his decision to leave Family Fortunes was due to a disagreement over his pay when the show was moved from an evening slot to a daytime position. He claimed that he was offered a 98% pay cut, which he found insulting. Despite this setback, Dennis has enjoyed an illustrious TV career, with appearances in popular shows like Coronation Street, Extras, Brookside, Death in Paradise, and Midsomer Murders.

A Successful Stage Career

Aside from his television work, Dennis has also made a name for himself on the stage. He has starred in various pantomimes and musicals, including Hairspray, Legally Blonde: The Musical, 42nd Street, Only Fools and Horses: The Musical, and Spamalot.

A Colorful Personal Life

Les Dennis has been married three times and has three children. He was first married to Lynne Webster in 1974, with whom he had one son before their separation in 1990. Dennis then married TV personality Amanda Holden, but their relationship ended in 2002 following Holden’s affair with actor Neil Morrissey. In 2005, Dennis met his current wife, Claire Heseltine, and they have been together ever since. They have a 15-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son.

Embracing the Challenge of Strictly

Les Dennis was announced as the final star for Strictly 2023 on August 11, expressing his excitement for the show. When asked to describe Strictly in three words, Dennis chose “fantastic, tan-tastic, and lycra-tastic.” He also named Debbie McGee as his favorite past contestant, saying she was fantastic and particularly impressed him with her Argentine Tango.

Editorial: The Magic of Les Dennis

Les Dennis may be best known as the affable host of Family Fortunes, but his career extends far beyond that. He has shown his versatility as a comedian, actor, and stage performer, constantly reinventing himself and adapting to new challenges. His success in both comedy and dramatic roles is a testament to his talent and dedication to his craft.

Strictly Come Dancing offers Dennis a platform to showcase his dancing abilities and captivate the audience with his charm and charisma. As he takes to the dancefloor, it will be exciting to see how he embraces this new challenge and brings his unique brand of dazzle to the show.

Advice for Les Dennis

As Les Dennis prepares to embark on his Strictly journey, he should embrace the spirit of the show and enjoy every moment. The key to succeeding on Strictly is to be open-minded, willing to learn, and committed to putting in the hard work. The dancefloor may be unfamiliar territory for Dennis, but his experience as a performer will undoubtedly serve him well.

Furthermore, it’s important for Dennis to remember that Strictly is not just about winning. The journey itself is an opportunity to grow, learn new skills, and connect with the audience. By staying true to himself and embracing the challenge with enthusiasm, Les Dennis has the potential to create memorable moments on the dancefloor and win the hearts of viewers.

As the nation eagerly awaits the return of Strictly Come Dancing, all eyes will be on Les Dennis as he steps out of his comfort zone and onto the dancefloor. Only time will tell how far he will go in the competition, but one thing is certain – his performance is sure to bring some much-needed dazzle and entertainment to our screens.