Bobby Brazier, star of BBC talent show Strictly Come Dancing, may have his sights set on a West End theatre career.
Showbiz rumours are swirling that Bobby, who is currently fourth favourite to win Strictly, may have impressed West End theatre producers.
Bobby is currently in BBC soap EastEnders, but could soon be going up to West, as his performances on Strictly have piqued the attention of some of Theatreland’s biggest producers.
Treading the London theatre boards would be a logical progression for the actor and model, who has forged a career on TV, and now could star in a West End musical.
An insider told The Sun newspaper that, “Bobby’s time on Strictly certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed by theatre bosses. They really feel he has star quality and would put bums on seats, given his huge popularity. Bobby’s so graceful on the dancefloor and they believe he wouldn’t look out of place on a big musical production, or even a play.”
Tonight, Saturday 2 December 2023, are the quarter finals of Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One, and also Musicals Week – which is a perfect way for Bobby to showcase his musical theatre skills.
A long line of Strictly stars have made the transition to the West End stage, or where already theatre stars, including 2016 finalist Danny Mac, who has gone on to have a huge theatre career including starring roles in Pretty Woman The Musical and On The Town; and 2019 star Louise Redknapp, who has appeared in shows including Cabaret, and this summer’s Dominion musical Grease.
Mostly recently, fellow EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis, the 2021 winner of Strictly, made her West End debut in Shakespeare’s As You Like It at @sohoplace theatre in London.
Fellow 2023 contestant Layton Williams is also no stranger to musical theatre, having made his West End stage debut as a child in Billy Elliot The Musical, and starred in show’s including Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – which is heading back to the West End’s Peacock Theatre this February.
Neither is Nigel Harman, who has trod the boards in numerous West End and touring shows, not least Shrek The Musical – when it premiered at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Musicals Week tonight on Strictly Come Dancing will see Bobby and his partner Dianne Buswell dance to “I’ve Had (The Time of My Life)” from Dirty Dancing – dancing the Salsa.
They will be joined by Layton Williams and Nikita dancing the Paso Doble to “Backstage Romance” from Moulin Rouge! The Musical; Annabel Croft and Johannes dancing the Foxtrot to “For Good” from Wicked; Nigel Harman and Katya dancing the Charleston to “Step in Time” from Mary Poppins; and Ellie Leach and Vito dancing the Quickstep to “Belle” from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
The opening number will see Karen Hauer do a solo dance before being joined by the rest of the professionals, in a tribute to Broadway’s A Chorus Line. Everyone will be dressed in gold to deliver a truly glitz and glamour routine.
Singer Joss Stone is also set to make an appearance, singing the number “This Time” from her and Dave Stewart’s new West End musical The Time Traveller’s Wife – now playing at the Apollo Theatre in London.
Also announced this week, were the contestants who are joining the huge UK tour of Strictly Come Dancing Live – which takes the show on the road with 30 sparkly shows from January 2024, opening at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on 19 January, then Utilita Arena Sheffield, Utilita Arena Newcastle, OVO Hydro Glasgow, M&S Bank Arena Liverpool, First Direct Arena Leeds, AO Arena Manchester, Motorpoint Arena Nottingham and finally The O2 in London, culminating on 11 February 2024.
Bobby Brazier, Annabel Croft, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Angela Scanlon, Ellie Leach, Angela Rippon and Layton Williams are all set to join the tour.
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