Strictly star Toyah Willcox, 66, reveals she rejected TWO pro dance partners due to their ‘inappropriate age’ before signing up saying, ‘I didn’t want a young person’s head near my crotch’

Strictly star Toyah Willcox, 66, reveals she rejected TWO pro dance partners due to their 'inappropriate age' before signing up saying, 'I didn't want a young person's head near my crotch'

As a seasoned performer and a woman of a certain age, I can wholeheartedly endorse Toyah Willcox’s latest endeavor. Having spent years navigating the glitz and glamour of showbiz, I find her new partnership with Smart Energy GB to be a breath of fresh air.

Toyah Willcox, a professional dancer, has disclosed that she turned down two potential dance partners in the past because they were too old for her comfort, eventually agreeing to join the BBC show.

The seasoned artist, aged 66, shared with TopMob authorities that they were considering matching her with the younger Italian musician, Vito Coppola, who is 32 and thus 34 years younger. However, she declined due to concerns about their significant age difference.

During a private conversation, Toyah shared that she preferred not to dance ‘personal’ numbers with someone significantly ‘older’, which is why she turned down the opportunity to work with Ukrainian dancer Nikita Kuzmin, who is 26 years old, because of their substantial age gap of 40 years.

Toyah expressed that she wasn’t comfortable with someone young being close to her private area, a sentiment shared by her fellow performer and Strictly Glitterball competitor, Sarah Hadland, aged 53, who is participating in the grand finale on Saturday night.

Eventually, the renowned punk figure, known for songs like “Thunder in the Mountains” from 1981, decided to collaborate with Neil Jones, who is 42 years old, due to his extensive experience. They managed to work together up until the second week of the competition.

Speaking about her experience from May, when she tried out for this year’s Strictly competition, Toyah expressed her feelings about the nerve-racking selection process and shared her gratitude for being Vito’s choice in this season.

Strictly star Toyah Willcox, 66, reveals she rejected TWO pro dance partners due to their 'inappropriate age' before signing up saying, 'I didn't want a young person's head near my crotch'

Strictly star Toyah Willcox, 66, reveals she rejected TWO pro dance partners due to their 'inappropriate age' before signing up saying, 'I didn't want a young person's head near my crotch'
Strictly star Toyah Willcox, 66, reveals she rejected TWO pro dance partners due to their 'inappropriate age' before signing up saying, 'I didn't want a young person's head near my crotch'

She said: ‘I did my audition with Vito, who is gorgeous and very energetic. He loved me immediately and said, ‘this is The One, this is The One’ and I’m very grateful for that but it was still nerve-wracking.

‘I told them I did not want to dance with someone when there was a 40-year age discrepancy.

I wouldn’t enjoy dancing with someone so young. I prefer to maintain an age-appropriate setting and dance with a partner who suits my physical abilities. When asked if I’d dance with Nikita, I replied that it would create an awkward impression.

As a seasoned lifestyle guide, I confidently rely on Neil’s expertise, as we share similar perspectives. In a recent conversation with Sarah Hadland, we both agreed to maintain professional boundaries in our interactions with the younger generation. To put it simply, neither Neil nor I wish for any of us to find ourselves in situations where our personal spaces intertwine – a mutual respect that fosters a healthy and productive environment.

I requested that everyone maintain an age-appropriate tone, which they agreed upon. Although Nikita is very attractive, I didn’t want him to feel discomfort working with someone older than himself.

Toyah explains that she joined Strictly with the aim of motivating her peers to dance and maintain physical fitness.

She astonished herself when she wore out dance pro Neil, and thanks to her intensive training, her body changed back into the form it had when she was 23 years old.

As a dedicated admirer, let me share my experience: Day after day, I devoted seven long hours to honing my craft, and while the joy on my face might’ve suggested otherwise, believe me, it was no walk in the park. It was all fun and games, but make no mistake, every second was filled with rigorous effort. My passion for this pursuit ran deep, and I approached each moment with unwavering seriousness.

After participating in Strictly, I experienced a level of fitness I haven’t felt in approximately 20 years, it was amazing! With no time for carbs, I would prepare snacks like sliced red peppers, raw carrots, and cooked tofu instead. This became my daily diet, and I began to feel full of energy, or as if I had a burst of vitality.

Strictly star Toyah Willcox, 66, reveals she rejected TWO pro dance partners due to their 'inappropriate age' before signing up saying, 'I didn't want a young person's head near my crotch'
Strictly star Toyah Willcox, 66, reveals she rejected TWO pro dance partners due to their 'inappropriate age' before signing up saying, 'I didn't want a young person's head near my crotch'
Strictly star Toyah Willcox, 66, reveals she rejected TWO pro dance partners due to their 'inappropriate age' before signing up saying, 'I didn't want a young person's head near my crotch'
Strictly star Toyah Willcox, 66, reveals she rejected TWO pro dance partners due to their 'inappropriate age' before signing up saying, 'I didn't want a young person's head near my crotch'

‘I was thrilled that by the end of my elimination, my body had returned to its 23-year-old form, which I adored. The challenge is, I can no longer dedicate seven hours daily for training.’

In simpler terms, ‘I wore Neil out, something he wouldn’t admit but could go for 24 hours. After around six hours, he’d tell me to continue alone and he’d watch me instead. It struck me then that I had truly tired him out, and I took pleasure in it.’

In this coming week’s episode, ex-Love Island celebrity Tasha Ghouri, JLS vocalist JB Gill, stand-up comedian Chris McCausland, and actress Sarah Hadland will battle it out to earn the title of Strictly champion, as Pete Wicks fell short in securing a spot in the final.

Toyah emphasizes that BBC producers should take viewer opinions into account since they’ve kept the former TOWIE star, Pete, on the show for several weeks even though he consistently receives low scores from the judges. Meanwhile, Tasha, who is a trained dancer, has had to compete in the dance-off on two occasions.

She mentioned: “I played Sally Bowles in the West End, I performed 360 shows of Calamity Jane, danced at the National Theatre, which means I’ve had dance training. However, I’m 66 years old… Therefore, my belief is that I joined the show to encourage people my age to seize each day, appreciate music, and enjoy dancing.

‘I enjoy witnessing personal transformations, including Pete’s remarkable one. If that’s what the audience prefers, I believe we should cater to their preferences while still maintaining respect for them.’

Pete comes off as rather reserved and unassuming, but in truth, he’s an incredibly charming and attractive individual. He often puts on the act of being a scoundrel, but make no mistake, he isn’t one. In reality, he’s a modern-day Renaissance man. And let’s not forget about Jowita; they are a perfect pair.

Though I found myself being the second contestant eliminated from the competition, I firmly stand by my belief that this outcome didn’t diminish my inherent abilities as an artist or dancer.

I soon discovered that the essence of this show lies not just in the participants, but in the entirety of ‘Strictly’ itself.

Toyah shared her thoughts saying, “I believe I danced quite well, and even more so for someone of my age, 66 years old. However, the outcome depends on the votes cast, which is straightforward.

Strictly star Toyah Willcox, 66, reveals she rejected TWO pro dance partners due to their 'inappropriate age' before signing up saying, 'I didn't want a young person's head near my crotch'
Strictly star Toyah Willcox, 66, reveals she rejected TWO pro dance partners due to their 'inappropriate age' before signing up saying, 'I didn't want a young person's head near my crotch'
Strictly star Toyah Willcox, 66, reveals she rejected TWO pro dance partners due to their 'inappropriate age' before signing up saying, 'I didn't want a young person's head near my crotch'

It’s clear that I embarked on a fantastic voyage, growing more proficient each passing week. My dedication to this production was one of honor and respect.

Expressing one’s true identity can be incredibly challenging due to the warm reception and exceptional team camaraderie, as everyone who has done so has discovered it to be extremely tough. The fear of leaving such a welcoming environment doesn’t make it any easier.

‘The program can be challenging, and it isn’t solely focused on celebrities. Instead, it revolves around Strictly, a reality I grasped swiftly. It’s about the universe of Strictly, its glamour, and you are essentially stepping into an arena when you join.’

After her stint on Strictly, Toyah is partnering with Smart Energy GB to inspire folks nationwide to switch to a smart meter.

The star says she discovered 59 per cent of people over the age of 65 are technology shy, which she believes can be easily resolved with the right tools.

People are also concerned about their devices listening to them, which causes them to sometimes reject improvements even when smart meters don’t save personal details such as your name or home address.

Toyah mentioned that when it comes to apps and technology, her age group often expresses some apprehension regarding potential privacy concerns at home or finding the technology too complicated to use. However, she pointed out that these worries are largely unwarranted and misplaced.

Modern technology is tailored to align with our human preferences, catering to our affinity for visual information, straightforward communication, and a streamlined lifestyle.

A clear illustration of this concept is the smart meter, as it does not monitor you personally. The data shown on its in-home display, which could be placed in your kitchen, living room, or hallway, does not contain any personal information about you. In essence, there’s nothing that observes or keeps track of your activities.

Instead of constantly checking your utility meter, an in-home display links directly to it, providing nearly real-time readings that are both automatic and precise. This means you can trust the accuracy of your bills while enjoying a simpler lifestyle.

‘If you have a budget, you can set your budget. If you pay by credit your display will warn if your credit is about to run out, so you don’t have the distress of having to reconnect. It’s there so you can get on with your life.’

Toyah confesses that she’s now a convert to using a smart meter, having previously harbored doubts about its advanced technology.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d say I found the installation process incredibly user-friendly, thanks to the informative video tutorials readily accessible on the Smart Energy GB website. These tutorials make understanding and executing the process a breeze!

Toyah shared that she tends to be skeptical about technology until it’s proven useful by her friends, and fortunately, she has a very tech-savvy nephew who is always ready to lend a hand in helping her navigate technological matters.

A great aspect of technology is that it encourages us to be bold enough to query, whether in a library or a community center; these places often double as social hubs where you can connect with others too.

I’m equally fond of online tutoring sessions, and it seems you offer such courses for smart meters online as well! To access these, just visit the website where you’ll find at least three to four separate tutorials, each focusing on a distinct type of smart meter.

  • Toyah Willcox is encouraging people across the country to make their lives easier by upgrading to a smart meter 

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2024-12-10 10:18

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