Jersey actor to 'Dance Dance Dance' in new ITV show

Saturday 07 January 2017

A former Eastenders actor from Jersey will be swapping the cockney cobbles for the dancefloor this Sunday in a brand new TV show.

Jonny Labey, who previously played Paul Coker on the BBC soap, will appear on ITV’s ‘Dance Dance Dance’ at 6.30pm.

Hosted by former popstar and Strictly judge Alesha Dixon, the show will see TV stars recreate the world’s most iconic dance routines – from Rihanna’s ‘Umbrella’ (video below) to Dirty Dancing’s ‘Time of My Life’ – to wow audiences with the help of augmented reality.

Judged by a trio of professional choreographers, including dance troupe Diversity’s Ashley Banjo, dancers will compete for the top score – but without the help of professional dancers, as each contestant gets to choose their partner.

It’s good luck for Mr Labey, then, who will be joined by his dancer girlfriend of one year, Chrissy Brooke.

We've seen him in the square, so throwing shapes will be easy for @jonnylabey..! @dancedancedance starts Sunday 6.30pm, @ITV #DDDUK pic.twitter.com/Ue9tJP8UV6

— ITV (@ITV) January 4, 2017

Speaking about his partnership, he said: "It's very rare you get to work with someone you love. Usually in our business you’re always apart from each other, so that was a huge draw [to working on the show]."

They’ll be performing Michael and Janet Jackson’s ‘Scream’ together in the first episode, which Mr Labey hopes will, "...really surprise people."

"It's so angry and I'm quite an explosive dancer so it really suits me."

He added: "[The dances] go from zero to 100 each week. One week I'm Fred Astaire, then I'm Justin Timberlake. Then Chrissy goes from Britney Spears to Cheryl! It's insane! When you look at each video, we've touched on so many different dance styles."

Despite spending just over a year in Albert Square, where his character enjoyed a fling with Ben Mitchell, Mr Labey should be well-prepared for his primetime TV dancing debut, having trained at the prestigious Bird College of Performance. Before that, the Grouville resident made his name in Jersey, starring in numerous local productions.

He’ll be putting these skills to the test in the show’s solo element, where he’ll bust a move to Justin Timberlake’s ‘Rock Your Body’.

Pictured: Jonny Labey performing Justin Timberlake's 'Rock Your Body' on ITV's Dance Dance Dance. (Photo: ITV)

But Mr Labey won’t be the only soap star donning his dancing shoes. He’s set to accompany Emmerdale’s Fiona Wade, Coronation Street’s Lucy Jo Hudson, and TOWIE’s Jessica Wright and JLS' JB Gill on stage.