Strictly’s Vincent Simone sings Dance ‘Til Dawn’s praises

Former Strictly star Vincent Simone knew dancing had become big when shopkeepers chatted to him about the cha-cha-cha and taxi drivers quizzed him on the quickstep.

The Italian has been in the UK for nearly 20 years but says the Saturday night smash hit has lifted the interest in dancing to unprecedented levels.

“In the past I would do shows in dance schools and they used to struggle, but maybe five or six years ago they became packed,” he said.

“I think the main audience for Strictly is mums and grandparents, so the young kids in the house are watching it too and getting interested in dancing.

“Dancing was never cool with young boys, but they’re changing their minds now that they’re seeing all these guys on TV dancing with beautiful women!”

The 36-year-old left the show in 2012 after seven series to team up again with his former professional dance partner, Flavia Cacae, who was also a Strictly dancer.

It was a tough decision but one that paid off when their theatre show, Midnight In Tango, played to half a million people around the UK.

“Flavia and I had been popular in the dance world and competed in front of thousands in competitions, but then we went on Strictly and that audience was millions.

“It was really hard to leave but we felt we’d done everything we could in the show and we had other offers.

“We’d also barely danced together during our time on Strictly and we really missed that.”

Vincent met Flavia when he came to the UK as a teenager to further his dancing career. Their professional connection blossomed into a romantic one but, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, when that ended they decided to continue dancing together.

“Partners becoming couples happens a lot in this business,” he said. “We got together when I was 17 and she was 16 and we grew up together and went through a lot. But our innocence started to fade and we split up.

“We decided to stay together professionally because we share the same passion and are so good together. That’s what made us famous and so we carried on.”

The weight of expectation was on the pair after Midnight Tango, but their latest show, Dance ’Til Dawn, has become another massive hit.

Set on a 1940s Hollywood film set, Flavia and Vincent play lovers who have to use their flawless footwork to tango their way out of trouble with the law and into each other’s arms.

“We had a lot of pressure to come up with another amazing show because people loved Midnight Tango, but I think we succeeded with Dance ’Til Dawn.

“We wanted it to be completely different so the shows couldn’t be compared, so went down the comedy route.

“As well as comedy, the show has amazing actors and singers and a great story there’s something for everyone.”

While Vincent admits standing on the stage before an adoring audience each night makes him feel invincible, it can’t take away the feelings of sadness that being away from his partner Susan and their two little boys, Luca and Mateo, brings.

“Being away from them is the hardest part.

“I only see them on a Sunday and then I’m driving to the next tour stop on Mondays. I miss my two sausages and my beautiful woman.

“My eldest, Luca, knows what I do and has been to the show. He’s proud of me. He watches the Midnight Tango DVD every week and is showing an interest in dancing, but maybe that’s just because he’s missing me.

“He’s shown me a few moves and there could be potential there, but I would never push him into following in my footsteps.

Vincent and Flavia have lots of offers for more theatre and TV work at the end of this current tour and he doesn’t rule out a Strictly return but for now he’s concentrating on his summer wedding.

“We miss Strictly and have never said we won’t go back. It’s one of two questions I’m asked all the time the other is my phone number!” he laughed.

“But once this tour is over I need some time to have a normal life. Susan and I are getting married in Ireland in July, so that’s what I’ll be focusing on for a while.”