Ben Jones in 'Strictly Mexico'

Zig Zag pupil Ben Jones is currently filming the Mexican version of

'Strictly Come Dancing' in Mexico City.   See his journey here and video clips below.

The story so far....we were contacted by a London casting agency to supply a dancer, and choreographer for the Mexican version of Striclty Come Dancing - called....Dancing for a Dream.    A number of our pupils applied but in the end Ben and fellow dancer and friend, Vicky Bissell got the job. 

The format is a little different from 'Strictly' with 10 teams from 10 different countries each representing a Mexican family who have previously written in with their dream.   If the family's allocated team win, then they get their dream all paid for and arranged by the TV company.  Each team comprises of an experienced dancer (Ben), an assistant choreographer (Vicky) and a celebrity (Charlie Bruce - winner of 'So You Think You Can Dance' TV programme) - this makes up Team England. 

The TV company pays their flights, hotel, food and laundry and gives them a top apartment in a 5 star hotel and pays them their wages.  Not bad eh?

Other countries in the show are Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Romania, South Africa, USA, France, Spain and Mexico.  

The live show is broadcast on Sundays ( it starts at 1.00am our time and can be viewed on the internet)  The show has been pulling in 25 million viewers each week!!!   Ben has to do lots of interviews, photo shoots and participate in the Take 2 equivelent programme which goes out 5 nights per week as well as fit in his training. 

Ben's celebrity partner, Charlie became injured after the first programme and was unable to train for most of that week which meant that Ben would have to perform disco with Vicky.  Literally 30 seconds before they were due to go on, Charlie announced she was going to do the routine with Ben instead of Vicky.  She certainly didnt look injured as she somersaulted and did the splits (i cant even do that when i'm fit never mind injured!)  After some differences with the producers of the show, Charlie was flown home leaving Ben without a partner. 

Initially, Ben was told he would have to miss out week 3 and would have to go into the dance off on the following week when his new partner arrived, and would have to dance for his survival.  However, only a few days before the show, Ben was then told this was not allowed and he would have to dance solo!   His dances that week were Merangue and Argentine Tango.   A very difficult task indeed.

To be honest, there is no way that a Merangue could look convincing on your own and then when the producers said he would have to dance with a dressmakers dummy, we did shudder!   Ben gave a gutsy performance and did a great job but the dance was poorly received by the judges.   His Argentine Tango however came over really well and he scored highly. 

The poor marks in the Merangue sadly have left Ben in the bottom two for this weeks show.  Its England versus a very strong USA...one team has to go on Sunday! 

Latest news....Ben's new partner, Lizzie Gough has arrived in Mexico this week.  Lizzie came 3rd in 'So You Think You Can Dance' and has started practicing their 'dance off' dance....the Argentine Tango.

In a sudden turn of events, Ben has complained that Team Argentina broke the rules on last Sundays show by doing 4 lifts in their routine when the rules say it has to be a maximum of 3.   Argentina then in turn complained about Team Romania who also did 4 lifts.   As of now, there are 4 teams now in Sundays 'dance off' and the producers have decided to change the dance as Argentina and Romania havnt had as much time to prepare.  Sundays 'dance off' dance will be Rock n Roll.   Who will go? Argentina, Romania, USA or England?  The surviving three teams will also have to perform Salsa and 'rain downpour' dance as part of this weeks show. 

Ben has a really tough job this week, 3 dances to prepare and a brand new partner he has not danced with before - we all have our fingers crossed!   

Come on ENGLAND!

Ben and Lizzie performed their 'rain downpour' dance choreographed in Lizzie's favourite dance style of Streetdance.  England judge Stewart Bishop felt it would be a good idea although we had our reservations back home thinking that a Paso Doble might work well.  Unfortunately, the dance was poorly received by the judges who just didnt seem to 'get it' and Ben ended up bottom of the leader board on the first dance.  

The programme then showed footage of Ben making his complaint against Argentina which we doubt made him any friends, and then he had to perform his 'dance off' dance of Rock n Rol.  

Sadly, Ben was voted off by the judges and so didnt get to perform his Salsa.   He did have some bad luck - an injured partner, then no partner at all, then a new partner, changing dances etc but thats just the way it goes sometimes.

Ben did a great job and made many admirers.   We are extremely proud of him and wish him even greater success in the future.  He is now back in the UK training hard for his next series of competitions.