Tommy Blaize’s dulcet tones accompany every spellbinding Strictly show but now its resident singer is stepping out of the shadows.
The Liverpool-born crooner is about to embark on a UK tour, and has a special treat in store.
Tommy will dedicate songs to his late Strictly friends Sir Bruce Forsyth and Len Goodman, and offer his unique insights into the hit BBC show.
The 60-year-old, who has been on Strictly since it started in 2004, has spoken of his 19 years on the series and the showbiz friends he has collected along the way.
They include Hollywood actor Bruce Willis and rock legend Rod Stewart, who booked him to sing at his 2007 Italian wedding to Penny Lancaster.
But his heart is firmly in Strictly’s ballroom and with its stars, such as original host Sir Bruce and his replacements Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
“My favourite memories of Bruce would be him warming up the audience every Saturday,” Tommy told the Sunday Express. “He would come on before we went live and would sing to the audience, get someone out and have a dance with them.
“He would say, ‘Tommy, you’ve got the best view in the house’. I know he was right. I sit in the middle of the orchestra, the dance floor is there and I’ve got the best seat.”
Sir Bruce gave up presenting the show in 2013 and died four years later aged 89.
Tommy, who began his career aged nine in a group with brothers Tony and Darrin, said: “I really miss Bruce. It was a total pleasure to work with him and be part of the Saturday nights.”
And original head judge Len Goodman is also a favourite. He died in April, just three days before his 79th birthday.
“Len was so good,” said Tommy. “He would always introduce me to great music that I hadn’t heard before.
“Len was one of those people who had no airs and graces.”
- On his 51-date tour, which starts in March, Tommy will be sharing many Strictly anecdotes. For tickets, go to tommyblaize.com
