Interview: Strictly star Pasha brings passion to Stevenage

He brings his new show Let’s Dance the Night Away to The Gordon Craig Theatre for two nights on Wednesday March 22 and Thursday March 23

After the huge success of his Life Through Dance and It’s All About You tours over the past few years, Pasha will be joined again by his spectacular dancers including special guest, another Strictly pro, Anja Garnis.

This brand new production features breathtaking choreography, sensational music and stunning costumes leaving the audience supercharged with positive energy and emotion.

He said: “My favourite are the Latin and the ballroom dances because that is my background. It’s what I grew up learning.

“I got into dancing because I threw myself into everything when I was growing up in Siberia. Every sport, every hobby, even playing chess for a bit.

“And then everything dropped off gradually and I started dancing more and more.”

So how did he come to work on Strictly Come Dancing?

Pasha said: “I working on a show called So You Think You Can Dance alongside Anja and doing shows out theere and on Broadway.

“Someone from the BBC was watching and approached me to be on it. And it was great to be asked.

“It is a show which has enabled me to go out on and do tours, and has given me so many happy memories.”

You would imagine that given he has won the Strictly glitter ball partnered with TV presenter Caroline Flack, and two runner up places, that he is enormously competitive.

But that is not the case.

Pasha said: “For me, when I have a new professional partner, my first aim is always to make them improve and to get them enjoying dance.

“That’s the biggest thing I’ve got out of it. And I am glad to say that all of the people I have danced with have improved as dancers.

“It is nice to get far in the competition and to get nice comments.

“I think I could tell within the second week with Caroline that there was someone who had the potential to go far in the competition.”

We last saw Pasha on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special where he was dancing with Pamela Stephenson Connolly.

He said: “She was a lovely lady and the Christmas specials are a little more relaxed than the main show. It is more about entertainment rather than the technicalities.”

And will he back for the next series?

“I hope so,” Pasha said.

“We don’t find out for a little while yet, normally around the end of March.”

If he is back then the next series is likely to be very different with the departure of Len Goodman as head judge of the show.

Pasha said: “Things will change and much the same when Brucie left and we now have Claudia as a presenter, it is a different show and I think it will be the same for whoever takes over from Len.

“I would like it to be someone who has the background in ballroom and Latin dancing as I think it is important for the show.

“For me, I think that Anton Du Beke has all the right qualities to be the next judge but the decision is not up to me.

“It will be up to the producers and the BBC for who will be the next judge.”

And for those who want to ask him a question, he will be doing some question and answer sessions before each show.

Tickets for the show cost £26 and can be booked by calling the box office on 01438 363200 or www.gordon-craig.co.uk