Brian Fortuna
Encyclopedia
Brian Fortuna is an American
professional ballroom dance
r, choreographer and instructor.
as Danny Cassidy. He recently finished filming the emotional romantic short film Love + 1 with Alison Carroll
and Andy Barnes
.
Brian was Principal Dancer in Burn the Floor during its 2010 run at the Shaftesbury Theatre
. in London’s West End. His performances earned him a 2011 What’s On Stage Award nomination as Best Newcomer.
He was Lead Choreographer and Consulting Producer for Dancing on Wheels
. This groundbreaking show premiered on BBC Three
in February 2010 and was produced by Fever Media
. Dancing on Wheels
pairs disabled and able-bodied contestants as they learn the art of Ballroom
and Latin
DanceSport
. The show had the highest premiere ratings for a documentary in BBC history.
In 2008, Brian was invited to join the Strictly Come Dancing
cast, where he competed with M People
’s Heather Small
and finished a respectable 8th. Series 7 in 2009 saw Brian partnered with former Hollyoaks
and The Bill
actress, Ali Bastian
. The pair placed danced their way to the semi-finals and earned a perfect score for their American Smooth and Viennese Waltz
; the highest score for a Viennese Waltz in Strictly Come Dancing
history. Affectionately known as ‘Strictly,’ it is the original dance program that inspired the successful worldwide Dancing with the Stars
franchise.
Brian competed on Dancing with the Stars
during its 4th season; partnering former Miss USA, Shandi Finnessey
. His television success allowed him to dance as a principal dancer in the next two national Dancing with the Stars tours. Brian did double duty on the tour and was chosen to also host the third DWTS tour in front of sold out audiences of 15,000 people per night. His hosting talents captured the attention of ABC who chose Brian as series co-host with his Dancing with the Stars partner Shandi for ABC’s Dancing with the Stars…Online Encore.
Brian is a visible and sought after instructor and performer nationwide. Brian’s other credits include National Ballroom and Latin Ten Dance finalist; choreographer and coach for the award winning salsa
team, Ritmo Latino; performer with the musical sensation, “The Tramps;” champion of the North American Amateur Latin Championships in 2003; and a top pro-am teacher. Brian also excels in Wheelchair DanceSport Wheelchair Ballroom and Latin DanceSport
and is very proud to be a teacher and performer for the United States Wheelchair Dancing Association, founded by his mother, Sandra Fortuna. In 2004 he choreographed a very successful commercial for the Bank of Madrid in Spain, which showcased wheelchair dancing.
You may have seen Brian as the featured dancer in the Oscar award winning film, “The Aviator
,” with Leonardo DiCaprio
; TV series “South Beach
” with Vanessa Williams
; and his starring role in the Canadian documentary, “Live to Dance
.”
's Dancing with the Stars
, the American version of the UK show Strictly Come Dancing
, with celebrity partner Shandi Finnessey
, a former Miss Universe
contestant.
The couple was the second to be voted off the competition on March 19, 2007.
Fortuna was a cast member of the Dancing with the Stars winter 2007-2008 tour.
for the 6th Series, the UK show upon which Dancing with the Stars
is based. His celebrity partner was M People
's Heather Small
.
With Celebrity Partner Heather Small
The couple left the series on Sunday, 9 November.
At Christmas 2008, Brian was partnered with Kelly Brook
. They danced the Jive
to Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
and scored 39 out of 40. They were one of four couples to get the same score and after the judges ranked the couples they were left in fourth place by the judges. When the judges' scores were added to the audience vote, they came second overall to Jill Halfpenny
and Darren Bennett
.
Brian returned to Strictly Come Dancing
for the 7th Series. His celebrity partner was Ali Bastian
known for playing PC Sally Armstrong on The Bill
. They were eliminated in the semi-final on 12 December 2009 after a public vote, even though they had been awarded a perfect 50 score by the five judges.
With Celebrity Partner Ali Bastian
On Saturday, November 7, 2009,Brian and Ali Bastian
's Viennese Waltz received a perfect score of 40. This is the highest score for a Viennese Waltz
in Strictly Come Dancing
's history.
On Saturday, November 28, 2009, Brian and Ali Bastian
's performance in the Group Viennese Waltz
earned them another perfect joint score from the judges.
On Wednesday, June 9, 2010, it was announced that Brian has decided not to return to Strictly Come Dancing
for the 8th season due to format changes.
issued a press release about their upcoming show Dancing on Wheels
which uses the same title as a documentary from April 2007. This project aims to promote Wheelchair DanceSport
with Brian Fortuna as the lead choreographer. Competitors will be put through intense training, as seen on Strictly Come Dancing
and Dancing with the Stars
, and will compete for a chance to represent the United Kingdom
at the Wheelchair Dance Sport European Championships in Israel in the Fall of 2009. The programme began transmission on BBC3 on Thursday 11 February 2010.
Also joining the show will be Brian's celebrity partner from Strictly Come Dancing
Series 6, M People
's Heather Small
, as well as Olympic
swimmer Mark Foster
, actress Michelle Gayle
, actor Kevin Sacre
, rugby player Martin Offiah
, and presenter Caroline Flack
. Dancing on Wheels is produced by Fever Media
.
The BBC OneLife documentary, "Dancing on Wheels" (broadcast in England on BBC1 at 10.35pm on 17 April 2007), followed some of the teams at the Championships, including the Inverclyders and Concorde Wheelchair Dancers, exploring some of the reasons that people enjoy wheelchair dance in the UK.
this holiday season. The show will run from 9 December 2011 - 8 January 2012.
as Danny Cassidy. The show begins touring the UK on 3 September 2011.
headlined Burn the Floor's run at the Shaftesbury Theatre
in London's West End. The show ran from July 21 to September 4, 2010.
starring Vanessa L. Williams
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional ballroom dance
Ballroom dance
Ballroom dance refers to a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world. Because of its performance and entertainment aspects, ballroom dance is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television....
r, choreographer and instructor.
Biography
Brian Fortuna is a multi-talented performer who is currently starring in Theatre Production's Limited Over the RainbowOver the Rainbow
"Over the Rainbow" is a classic Academy Award-winning ballad song with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by E.Y. Harburg. It was written for the movie The Wizard of Oz, and was sung by Judy Garland in the movie...
as Danny Cassidy. He recently finished filming the emotional romantic short film Love + 1 with Alison Carroll
Alison Carroll
Alison Carroll is an English gymnast, model, and actress. She was the most recent Lara Croft model, from 2008 to 2010.- Biography :Alison Carroll was born in Croydon, Surrey in England....
and Andy Barnes
Andy Barnes
Andrew 'Andy' Barnes was a footballer who played for Sutton United, Crystal Palace and Carlisle United.-References:...
.
Brian was Principal Dancer in Burn the Floor during its 2010 run at the Shaftesbury Theatre
Shaftesbury Theatre
The Shaftesbury Theatre is a West End Theatre, located on Shaftesbury Avenue, in the London Borough of Camden.-History:The theatre was designed for the brothers Walter and Frederick Melville by Bertie Crewe and opened on 26 December 1911 with a production of The Three Musketeers, as the New...
. in London’s West End. His performances earned him a 2011 What’s On Stage Award nomination as Best Newcomer.
He was Lead Choreographer and Consulting Producer for Dancing on Wheels
Dancing on Wheels
Dancing on Wheels is a British television show made by production company Fever Media and first broadcast on BBC Three on 11 February 2010. The concept of the show is that an able-bodied celebrity dances with a wheelchair user. The couples dance each week, and each week one couple is eliminated in...
. This groundbreaking show premiered on BBC Three
BBC Three
BBC Three is a television network from the BBC broadcasting via digital cable, terrestrial, IPTV and satellite platforms. The channel's target audience includes those in the 16-34 year old age group, and has the purpose of providing "innovative" content to younger audiences, focusing on new talent...
in February 2010 and was produced by Fever Media
Fever Media
Fever Media Ltd is a British television production company based in London. It was launched in 2006 by former BBC Executive Producers Richard Hopkins and David Mortimer. It develops and produces quizzes, game shows, factual entertainment, factual formats, documentary, entertainment performance and...
. Dancing on Wheels
Dancing on Wheels
Dancing on Wheels is a British television show made by production company Fever Media and first broadcast on BBC Three on 11 February 2010. The concept of the show is that an able-bodied celebrity dances with a wheelchair user. The couples dance each week, and each week one couple is eliminated in...
pairs disabled and able-bodied contestants as they learn the art of Ballroom
Ballroom
A ballroom is a large room inside a building, the designated purpose of which is holding formal dances called balls. Traditionally, most balls were held in private residences; many mansions contain one or more ballrooms...
and Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
DanceSport
DanceSport
Dancesport denotes competitive ballroom dancing, as contrasted to social or exhibition dancing. It is wheelchair dancesport where at least one of the dancers is in a wheelchair....
. The show had the highest premiere ratings for a documentary in BBC history.
In 2008, Brian was invited to join the Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing is a British television show, featuring celebrities with professional dance partners competing in Ballroom and Latin dances. The title of the show suggests a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing, with an allusion to the film Strictly Ballroom...
cast, where he competed with M People
M People
M People are a British house music act from Manchester, who formed in 1990 and achieved success throughout most of the 1990s. The name M People is from the initials of Mike Pickering, who formed the group.-Career:...
’s Heather Small
Heather Small
Heather Small is a British soul singer, best known for being the lead singer in the Manchester based band M People. Her debut solo album was Proud in 2000...
and finished a respectable 8th. Series 7 in 2009 saw Brian partnered with former Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks is a long-running British television soap opera, first broadcast on Channel 4 on 23 October 1995. It was originally devised by Phil Redmond, who has also devised shows including Brookside and Grange Hill...
and The Bill
The Bill
The Bill is a police procedural television series that ran from October 1984 to August 2010. It focused on the lives and work of one shift of police officers, rather than on any particular aspect of police work...
actress, Ali Bastian
Ali Bastian
Alexandra Louise "Ali" Bastian is an English television actress, best known for playing Becca Dean in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks from 2001 to 2007, and PC Sally Armstrong in long-running ITV drama series The Bill from 2007 to 2009.-Biography:Born in Windsor, Berkshire, to Paula C. Marriott...
. The pair placed danced their way to the semi-finals and earned a perfect score for their American Smooth and Viennese Waltz
Viennese Waltz
Viennese Waltz is the genre of a ballroom dance. At least three different meanings are recognized. In the historically first sense, the name may refer to several versions of the waltz, including the earliest waltzes done in ballroom dancing, danced to the music of Viennese Waltz.What is now called...
; the highest score for a Viennese Waltz in Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing is a British television show, featuring celebrities with professional dance partners competing in Ballroom and Latin dances. The title of the show suggests a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing, with an allusion to the film Strictly Ballroom...
history. Affectionately known as ‘Strictly,’ it is the original dance program that inspired the successful worldwide Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars is the name of several international television series based on the format of the British TV series Strictly Come Dancing, which is distributed by BBC Worldwide – the commercial arm of the BBC. Currently the format has been licensed to over 35 countries...
franchise.
Brian competed on Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars is the name of several international television series based on the format of the British TV series Strictly Come Dancing, which is distributed by BBC Worldwide – the commercial arm of the BBC. Currently the format has been licensed to over 35 countries...
during its 4th season; partnering former Miss USA, Shandi Finnessey
Shandi Finnessey
Shandi Ren Finnessey is an American beauty queen, model, television hostess, and actress. She is best known for winning the Miss USA title, as Miss Missouri USA. She previously held the title of Miss Missouri 2002 and competed in Miss America where she won a preliminary award...
. His television success allowed him to dance as a principal dancer in the next two national Dancing with the Stars tours. Brian did double duty on the tour and was chosen to also host the third DWTS tour in front of sold out audiences of 15,000 people per night. His hosting talents captured the attention of ABC who chose Brian as series co-host with his Dancing with the Stars partner Shandi for ABC’s Dancing with the Stars…Online Encore.
Brian is a visible and sought after instructor and performer nationwide. Brian’s other credits include National Ballroom and Latin Ten Dance finalist; choreographer and coach for the award winning salsa
Salsa (dance)
Salsa is a syncretic dance form with origins in Cuba as the meeting point of Spanish and African cultures.Salsa is normally a partner dance, although there are recognized solo forms such as solo dancing "suelta" and "Rueda de Casino" where multiple couples exchange partners in a circle...
team, Ritmo Latino; performer with the musical sensation, “The Tramps;” champion of the North American Amateur Latin Championships in 2003; and a top pro-am teacher. Brian also excels in Wheelchair DanceSport Wheelchair Ballroom and Latin DanceSport
Wheelchair DanceSport
- External links : IPC- Wheelchair Dancesport*...
and is very proud to be a teacher and performer for the United States Wheelchair Dancing Association, founded by his mother, Sandra Fortuna. In 2004 he choreographed a very successful commercial for the Bank of Madrid in Spain, which showcased wheelchair dancing.
You may have seen Brian as the featured dancer in the Oscar award winning film, “The Aviator
The Aviator
The Aviator is a 2004 American biographical drama film directed by Martin Scorsese, written by John Logan, and starring Leonardo DiCaprio. It is the story of aviation pioneer Howard Hughes, drawn largely upon numerous sources including a biography by Charles Higham.The film centers on Hughes' life...
,” with Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio is an American actor and film producer. He has received many awards, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his performance in The Aviator , and has been nominated by the Academy Awards, Screen Actors Guild and the British Academy of Film and Television...
; TV series “South Beach
South Beach
South Beach, also nicknamed SoBe, is a neighborhood in the city of Miami Beach, Florida, United States. It is the area south of Indian Creek and encompasses roughly the southernmost 23 blocks of the main barrier island that separates the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay.This area was the first...
” with Vanessa Williams
Vanessa Williams
Vanessa Williams is the name of:* Vanessa L. Williams , American R&B/pop singer and actress, Miss America, actress on Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives...
; and his starring role in the Canadian documentary, “Live to Dance
Live to Dance
Live to Dance was a United States television reality program and dance competition on the CBS network. Dancers from all over the country auditioned for Live to Dance in "specially constructed Dance Domes"...
.”
Dancing with the Stars
Fortuna participated in the fourth season of ABCAmerican Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
's Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars is the name of several international television series based on the format of the British TV series Strictly Come Dancing, which is distributed by BBC Worldwide – the commercial arm of the BBC. Currently the format has been licensed to over 35 countries...
, the American version of the UK show Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing is a British television show, featuring celebrities with professional dance partners competing in Ballroom and Latin dances. The title of the show suggests a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing, with an allusion to the film Strictly Ballroom...
, with celebrity partner Shandi Finnessey
Shandi Finnessey
Shandi Ren Finnessey is an American beauty queen, model, television hostess, and actress. She is best known for winning the Miss USA title, as Miss Missouri USA. She previously held the title of Miss Missouri 2002 and competed in Miss America where she won a preliminary award...
, a former Miss Universe
Miss Universe
Miss Universe is an annual international beauty contest that is run by the Miss Universe Organization. The pageant is the most publicized beauty contest in the world with 600 million viewers....
contestant.
| Week # | Dance/Song | Judges' score | Result | ||
| Inaba | Goodman | Tonioli | |||
| 1 | Foxtrot/"Power of Love" | 7 | 6 | 6 | n/a |
| 2 | Mambo Mambo (dance) Mambo .In the late 1940s, Perez Prado came up with the dance for the mambo music and became the first person to market his music as "mambo". After Havana, Prado moved his music to Mexico, where his music and the dance was adopted. The original mambo dance was characterized by freedom and... /"Right Now" |
6 | 7 | 7 | Bottom 2 |
| 3 | Jive Jive (dance) In Ballroom dancing, Jive is a dance style in 4/4 time that originated in the United States from African-Americans in the early 1930s. It was originally presented to the public as 'Jive' in 1934 by Cab Calloway. It is a lively and uninhibited variation of the Jitterbug, a form of Swing dance... /"Crocodile Rock Crocodile Rock "Crocodile Rock" is a song written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, and recorded in June 1972 at the Strawberry Studios, Château d'Hérouville in France. It was released on 27 October 1972 in the UK and 20 November 1972 in the US, as a pre-release single from his forthcoming 1973 album Don't Shoot... " |
7 | 7 | 7 | Eliminated |
The couple was the second to be voted off the competition on March 19, 2007.
Fortuna was a cast member of the Dancing with the Stars winter 2007-2008 tour.
Strictly Come Dancing
Brian joined Strictly Come DancingStrictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing is a British television show, featuring celebrities with professional dance partners competing in Ballroom and Latin dances. The title of the show suggests a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing, with an allusion to the film Strictly Ballroom...
for the 6th Series, the UK show upon which Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars is the name of several international television series based on the format of the British TV series Strictly Come Dancing, which is distributed by BBC Worldwide – the commercial arm of the BBC. Currently the format has been licensed to over 35 countries...
is based. His celebrity partner was M People
M People
M People are a British house music act from Manchester, who formed in 1990 and achieved success throughout most of the 1990s. The name M People is from the initials of Mike Pickering, who formed the group.-Career:...
's Heather Small
Heather Small
Heather Small is a British soul singer, best known for being the lead singer in the Manchester based band M People. Her debut solo album was Proud in 2000...
.
With Celebrity Partner Heather Small
Heather Small
Heather Small is a British soul singer, best known for being the lead singer in the Manchester based band M People. Her debut solo album was Proud in 2000...
| Week # | Dance/Song | Judges' score | Result | |||
| Revel Horwood | Phillips | Goodman | Tonioli | |||
| 1 | Cha Cha Cha Cha-cha-cha (dance) The Cha-cha-cha is the name of a dance of Cuban origin.It is danced to the music of the same name introduced by Cuban composer and violinist Enrique Jorrín in 1953... /"Lady Marmalade Lady Marmalade "Lady Marmalade" was also covered by Italian pop star Sabrina. It was released in 1987 as the album's second single by Baby Records. In some countries, including France and the Netherlands, the song was known as "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi? " and was released in 1988.-Track listings:7" maxi#... " |
Group Dance | ||||
| 2 | Salsa Salsa (dance) Salsa is a syncretic dance form with origins in Cuba as the meeting point of Spanish and African cultures.Salsa is normally a partner dance, although there are recognized solo forms such as solo dancing "suelta" and "Rueda de Casino" where multiple couples exchange partners in a circle... /"La Banda La Banda La Banda is a city in the province of Santiago del Estero, Argentina. It has about 95,000 inhabitants as per the , making it the second largest in the province. It is the head town of the Banda Department.... " |
5 | 6 | 8 | 7 | Safe |
| 3 | Swing Swing (dance) "Swing dance" is a group of dances that developed with the swing style of jazz music in the 1920s-1950s, although the earliest of these dances predate swing jazz music. The best known of these dances is the Lindy Hop, a popular partner dance that originated in Harlem and is still danced today... /"Choo Choo Ch'Boogie Choo Choo Ch'Boogie "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" is a popular song first recorded in January 1946 by Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five. It topped the R&B charts for 18 weeks from August 1946, a record only equalled by one other hit, "The Honeydripper"... " |
Group Dance | ||||
| 4 | Quickstep Quickstep The quickstep is a light-hearted member of the standard ballroom dances. The movement of the dance is fast and powerfully flowing and sprinkled with syncopations. The upbeat melodies that quickstep is danced to make it suitable for both formal and informal events... /"Old Man Time" |
6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | Bottom Two |
| 5 | Samba Samba Samba is a Brazilian dance and musical genre originating in Bahia and with its roots in Brazil and Africa via the West African slave trade and African religious traditions. It is recognized around the world as a symbol of Brazil and the Brazilian Carnival... |
4 | 6 | 6 | 7 | Bottom Two |
| 6 | Viennese Waltz Viennese Waltz Viennese Waltz is the genre of a ballroom dance. At least three different meanings are recognized. In the historically first sense, the name may refer to several versions of the waltz, including the earliest waltzes done in ballroom dancing, danced to the music of Viennese Waltz.What is now called... /"Vision of Love Vision of Love "Vision of Love" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. It served as Carey's debut single, the first from her self-titled debut album. Written by Carey and Ben Margulies, "Vision of Love" was released on May 15, 1990 by Columbia Records. After being featured on Carey's demo tape for... " |
5 | 7 | 7 | 8 | Safe |
| 7 | Cha Cha Cha Cha-cha-cha (dance) The Cha-cha-cha is the name of a dance of Cuban origin.It is danced to the music of the same name introduced by Cuban composer and violinist Enrique Jorrín in 1953... /"American Boy American Boy "American Boy" is the second single from the album Shine by British R&B singer Estelle and features American rapper Kanye West. The song is her first international single... " |
5 | 5 | 7 | 6 | Bottom Two |
| 8 | Tango Tango (ballroom) Ballroom Tango is a ballroom dance that branched away from its original Argentine roots by allowing European, American, Hollywood, and competitive influences into the style and execution of the dance.... /"Rebel Rebel Rebel Rebel "Rebel Rebel" is a song by David Bowie, released in 1974 as a single and on the album Diamond Dogs. Cited as his most-covered track, it was effectively Bowie's farewell to the glam movement that had made him a star.-Music and lyrics:... " |
6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | Eliminated |
The couple left the series on Sunday, 9 November.
At Christmas 2008, Brian was partnered with Kelly Brook
Kelly Brook
Kelly Brook is an English model, actress, entrepreneur, television presenter and Playboy model.-Early life:...
. They danced the Jive
Jive (dance)
In Ballroom dancing, Jive is a dance style in 4/4 time that originated in the United States from African-Americans in the early 1930s. It was originally presented to the public as 'Jive' in 1934 by Cab Calloway. It is a lively and uninhibited variation of the Jitterbug, a form of Swing dance...
to Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
Rockin' around the Christmas Tree
"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" is a Christmas song written by Johnny Marks and recorded by Brenda Lee in 1958 on Decca 9-30776.-Background:...
and scored 39 out of 40. They were one of four couples to get the same score and after the judges ranked the couples they were left in fourth place by the judges. When the judges' scores were added to the audience vote, they came second overall to Jill Halfpenny
Jill Halfpenny
Jill Halfpenny is an English actress.Halfpenny is best known for her roles as Rebecca Hopkins in the British soap opera Coronation Street from 1999–2000, and as Kate Mitchell in rival soap EastEnders, from 2002-2005...
and Darren Bennett
Darren Bennett (dancer)
Darren Lee Bennett is a professional dancer, as were his parents. With his wife Lilia Kopylova he has a successful career in professional Latin dancing, competing nationally and internationally. Darren's favourite dances are the Samba and the Foxtrot.They teach private lessons in their own studio...
.
Brian returned to Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing is a British television show, featuring celebrities with professional dance partners competing in Ballroom and Latin dances. The title of the show suggests a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing, with an allusion to the film Strictly Ballroom...
for the 7th Series. His celebrity partner was Ali Bastian
Ali Bastian
Alexandra Louise "Ali" Bastian is an English television actress, best known for playing Becca Dean in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks from 2001 to 2007, and PC Sally Armstrong in long-running ITV drama series The Bill from 2007 to 2009.-Biography:Born in Windsor, Berkshire, to Paula C. Marriott...
known for playing PC Sally Armstrong on The Bill
The Bill
The Bill is a police procedural television series that ran from October 1984 to August 2010. It focused on the lives and work of one shift of police officers, rather than on any particular aspect of police work...
. They were eliminated in the semi-final on 12 December 2009 after a public vote, even though they had been awarded a perfect 50 score by the five judges.
With Celebrity Partner Ali Bastian
Ali Bastian
Alexandra Louise "Ali" Bastian is an English television actress, best known for playing Becca Dean in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks from 2001 to 2007, and PC Sally Armstrong in long-running ITV drama series The Bill from 2007 to 2009.-Biography:Born in Windsor, Berkshire, to Paula C. Marriott...
| Week # | Dance/Song | Judges' score | Result | ||||
| Revel Horwood | Goodman | Dixon | Tonioli | Bussell | |||
| 1A | Waltz Waltz The waltz is a ballroom and folk dance in time, performed primarily in closed position.- History :There are several references to a sliding or gliding dance,- a waltz, from the 16th century including the representations of the printer H.S. Beheim... / 'Reach Out and Touch Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand) "Reach Out and Touch " was the debut solo single for Motown singer Diana Ross, released in April 1970.Ross, having just left The Supremes after a decade of serving as that group's lead singer, went through a difficult situation trying to piece a solo album together... ' |
7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | N/A | |
| 1B | Rumba Rumba Rumba is a family of percussive rhythms, song and dance that originated in Cuba as a combination of the musical traditions of Africans brought to Cuba as slaves and Spanish colonizers. The name derives from the Cuban Spanish word rumbo which means "party" or "spree". It is secular, with no... / 'That's What Friends Are For That's What Friends Are For "That's What Friends Are For" is a 1982 song written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager and introduced by Rod Stewart for the soundtrack of the film Night Shift.-Dionne Warwick cover:... ' |
7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | Safe | |
| 2 | Michael Jackson Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records... Tribute / Billie Jean Billie Jean "Billie Jean" is a dance-pop/R&B song by American recording artist Michael Jackson. It was written, composed, and co-produced by Jackson, and produced by Quincy Jones from the singer's sixth album, Thriller . Originally disliked by Jones, the track was almost removed from the album after he and... & Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground) Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground) "Shake Your Body ", released December 9, 1978, is a hit single recorded by The Jacksons for the CBS/Epic Records album Destiny and peaked in the Spring of 1979.... |
Group Dance | |||||
| 3 | Quickstep Quickstep The quickstep is a light-hearted member of the standard ballroom dances. The movement of the dance is fast and powerfully flowing and sprinkled with syncopations. The upbeat melodies that quickstep is danced to make it suitable for both formal and informal events... / 'I Get a Kick out of You I Get a Kick Out of You "I Get a Kick Out of You" is a song by Cole Porter, originally featured in the Broadway musical Anything Goes and the movie of the same name.... ' |
8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | Safe | |
| 4 | Salsa Salsa (dance) Salsa is a syncretic dance form with origins in Cuba as the meeting point of Spanish and African cultures.Salsa is normally a partner dance, although there are recognized solo forms such as solo dancing "suelta" and "Rueda de Casino" where multiple couples exchange partners in a circle... / Quimbara |
8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | Safe | |
| 5 | Jive Jive (dance) In Ballroom dancing, Jive is a dance style in 4/4 time that originated in the United States from African-Americans in the early 1930s. It was originally presented to the public as 'Jive' in 1934 by Cab Calloway. It is a lively and uninhibited variation of the Jitterbug, a form of Swing dance... / Tutti Frutti Tutti Frutti (song) "Tutti Frutti" is a 1955 song by Little Richard, which became his first hit record. With its opening cry of "A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop-a-lop-bop-bop!" and its hard-driving sound and wild lyrics, it became not only a model for many future Little Richard songs, but also one of the... |
6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | Safe | |
| 6 | American Smooth / A Foggy Day in London Town | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | Safe | |
| 7 | Paso Doble / El Gato Montes El gato montes El gato montes ' is an opera in three acts written by Manuel Penella in 1916 .-List of characters:*Soleá *Frasquita *Loliya *Father Antón... |
8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | Bottom Two | |
| 8 | Viennese Waltz Viennese Waltz Viennese Waltz is the genre of a ballroom dance. At least three different meanings are recognized. In the historically first sense, the name may refer to several versions of the waltz, including the earliest waltzes done in ballroom dancing, danced to the music of Viennese Waltz.What is now called... / Do Right Woman, Do Right Man Do Right Woman, Do Right Man "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" is a single by Aretha Franklin. It was released in March 1967. Rolling Stone listed it as number 476 in their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.-Production:... |
10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Safe | |
| 9 | Cha Cha Cha Cha-cha-cha (dance) The Cha-cha-cha is the name of a dance of Cuban origin.It is danced to the music of the same name introduced by Cuban composer and violinist Enrique Jorrín in 1953... / I Gotta Feeling I Gotta Feeling "I Gotta Feeling" is the second single from The Black Eyed Peas' fifth studio album The E.N.D., produced by the French DJ David Guetta. The song was released on May 21, 2009 and debuted at number two on the Canadian and Billboard Hot 100 on the week of June 27, 2009, behind the group's "Boom Boom... |
9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | Safe | |
| 10 | Foxtrot / Haven't Met You Yet Haven't Met You Yet "Haven’t Met You Yet" is the first single from Canadian singer Michael Bublé's fourth album Crazy Love, released on August 31, 2009. According to Bublé, the single and its official music video are "about everyone's dream of finding a relationship and love." Bublé co-wrote "Haven’t Met You Yet" with... |
8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | Safe | |
| 11A | The Charleston / Pencil Full of Lead Pencil Full of Lead "Pencil Full Of Lead" is the third single from Paolo Nutini's album, Sunny Side Up. The song was released in the United Kingdom as a single on 2 November 2009, a music video of the song having been released on 20 October 2009... |
9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | Safe | |
| 11B | Group Viennese Waltz Viennese Waltz Viennese Waltz is the genre of a ballroom dance. At least three different meanings are recognized. In the historically first sense, the name may refer to several versions of the waltz, including the earliest waltzes done in ballroom dancing, danced to the music of Viennese Waltz.What is now called... / Piano Man Piano Man (song) "Piano Man" was Billy Joel's first major hit and his signature song. "Piano Man" was released as a single in November 1st, 1973 and has been on several albums... |
10 | |||||
| 12A | Tango Tango (ballroom) Ballroom Tango is a ballroom dance that branched away from its original Argentine roots by allowing European, American, Hollywood, and competitive influences into the style and execution of the dance.... / Born to be Wild Born to Be Wild "Born to Be Wild" is a rock song written by Mars Bonfire and made famous by the Canadian-American rock band Steppenwolf. It is often used in popular culture to denote a biker appearance or attitude... |
8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | Safe |
| 12B | Samba Samba Samba is a Brazilian dance and musical genre originating in Bahia and with its roots in Brazil and Africa via the West African slave trade and African religious traditions. It is recognized around the world as a symbol of Brazil and the Brazilian Carnival... / Change Change (Daniel Merriweather song) "Change" is a song by the Australian singer/songwriter Daniel Merriweather featuring a rap verse from rapper Wale. It was written by Merriweather and Andrew Wyatt and produced by Mark Ronson. It was released on 30 January 2009 in the United States and Canada, and 2 February 2009 in the UK .The song... |
9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | Safe |
| 13A | American Smooth | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| 13B | Argentine Tango Argentine Tango Argentine tango is a musical genre of simple quadruple metre and binary musical form, and the social dance that accompanies it. Its lyrics and music are marked by nostalgia, expressed through melodic instruments including the bandoneon. Originated at the ending of the 19th century in the suburbs of... |
8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | Eliminated |
On Saturday, November 7, 2009,Brian and Ali Bastian
Ali Bastian
Alexandra Louise "Ali" Bastian is an English television actress, best known for playing Becca Dean in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks from 2001 to 2007, and PC Sally Armstrong in long-running ITV drama series The Bill from 2007 to 2009.-Biography:Born in Windsor, Berkshire, to Paula C. Marriott...
's Viennese Waltz received a perfect score of 40. This is the highest score for a Viennese Waltz
Viennese Waltz
Viennese Waltz is the genre of a ballroom dance. At least three different meanings are recognized. In the historically first sense, the name may refer to several versions of the waltz, including the earliest waltzes done in ballroom dancing, danced to the music of Viennese Waltz.What is now called...
in Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing is a British television show, featuring celebrities with professional dance partners competing in Ballroom and Latin dances. The title of the show suggests a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing, with an allusion to the film Strictly Ballroom...
's history.
On Saturday, November 28, 2009, Brian and Ali Bastian
Ali Bastian
Alexandra Louise "Ali" Bastian is an English television actress, best known for playing Becca Dean in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks from 2001 to 2007, and PC Sally Armstrong in long-running ITV drama series The Bill from 2007 to 2009.-Biography:Born in Windsor, Berkshire, to Paula C. Marriott...
's performance in the Group Viennese Waltz
Viennese Waltz
Viennese Waltz is the genre of a ballroom dance. At least three different meanings are recognized. In the historically first sense, the name may refer to several versions of the waltz, including the earliest waltzes done in ballroom dancing, danced to the music of Viennese Waltz.What is now called...
earned them another perfect joint score from the judges.
On Wednesday, June 9, 2010, it was announced that Brian has decided not to return to Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing is a British television show, featuring celebrities with professional dance partners competing in Ballroom and Latin dances. The title of the show suggests a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing, with an allusion to the film Strictly Ballroom...
for the 8th season due to format changes.
Dancing on Wheels
On May 28, 2009, the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
issued a press release about their upcoming show Dancing on Wheels
Dancing on Wheels
Dancing on Wheels is a British television show made by production company Fever Media and first broadcast on BBC Three on 11 February 2010. The concept of the show is that an able-bodied celebrity dances with a wheelchair user. The couples dance each week, and each week one couple is eliminated in...
which uses the same title as a documentary from April 2007. This project aims to promote Wheelchair DanceSport
Wheelchair DanceSport
- External links : IPC- Wheelchair Dancesport*...
with Brian Fortuna as the lead choreographer. Competitors will be put through intense training, as seen on Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing is a British television show, featuring celebrities with professional dance partners competing in Ballroom and Latin dances. The title of the show suggests a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing, with an allusion to the film Strictly Ballroom...
and Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars is the name of several international television series based on the format of the British TV series Strictly Come Dancing, which is distributed by BBC Worldwide – the commercial arm of the BBC. Currently the format has been licensed to over 35 countries...
, and will compete for a chance to represent the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
at the Wheelchair Dance Sport European Championships in Israel in the Fall of 2009. The programme began transmission on BBC3 on Thursday 11 February 2010.
Also joining the show will be Brian's celebrity partner from Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing is a British television show, featuring celebrities with professional dance partners competing in Ballroom and Latin dances. The title of the show suggests a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing, with an allusion to the film Strictly Ballroom...
Series 6, M People
M People
M People are a British house music act from Manchester, who formed in 1990 and achieved success throughout most of the 1990s. The name M People is from the initials of Mike Pickering, who formed the group.-Career:...
's Heather Small
Heather Small
Heather Small is a British soul singer, best known for being the lead singer in the Manchester based band M People. Her debut solo album was Proud in 2000...
, as well as Olympic
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
swimmer Mark Foster
Mark Foster (swimmer)
Mark Andrew Foster is a British professional swimmer, specialising in butterfly and freestyle at 50 metres....
, actress Michelle Gayle
Michelle Gayle
Michelle Patricia Gayle is a British recording artist, actress and author. Gayle had success as a Soul and R&B singer in the 1990s. She achieved seven Top 40 singles in the UK Singles Chart, her two biggest hits to date being "Sweetness" and "Do You Know"...
, actor Kevin Sacre
Kevin Sacre
Kevin Sacre is a British actor. He is most famous for his performance as Jake Dean in the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, a role he played from 2002 to 2010.-Early life:...
, rugby player Martin Offiah
Martin Offiah
Martin Offiah MBE is an English former rugby league and rugby union footballer.He is known as "Chariots" Offiah after the film Chariots of Fire...
, and presenter Caroline Flack
Caroline Flack
Caroline Louise Flack is a British television presenter. She is known for presenting I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! NOW! from 2008 to 2010....
. Dancing on Wheels is produced by Fever Media
Fever Media
Fever Media Ltd is a British television production company based in London. It was launched in 2006 by former BBC Executive Producers Richard Hopkins and David Mortimer. It develops and produces quizzes, game shows, factual entertainment, factual formats, documentary, entertainment performance and...
.
The BBC OneLife documentary, "Dancing on Wheels" (broadcast in England on BBC1 at 10.35pm on 17 April 2007), followed some of the teams at the Championships, including the Inverclyders and Concorde Wheelchair Dancers, exploring some of the reasons that people enjoy wheelchair dance in the UK.
Aladdin
Brian will make his pantomime debut in Royal & Derngate's production of AladdinAladdin
Aladdin is a Middle Eastern folk tale. It is one of the tales in The Book of One Thousand and One Nights , and one of the most famous, although it was actually added to the collection by Antoine Galland ....
this holiday season. The show will run from 9 December 2011 - 8 January 2012.
Over the Rainbow
Brian is currently starring in Theatre Production Ltd's Over the RainbowOver the Rainbow
"Over the Rainbow" is a classic Academy Award-winning ballad song with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by E.Y. Harburg. It was written for the movie The Wizard of Oz, and was sung by Judy Garland in the movie...
as Danny Cassidy. The show begins touring the UK on 3 September 2011.
Burn the Floor
Brian and Ali BastianAli Bastian
Alexandra Louise "Ali" Bastian is an English television actress, best known for playing Becca Dean in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks from 2001 to 2007, and PC Sally Armstrong in long-running ITV drama series The Bill from 2007 to 2009.-Biography:Born in Windsor, Berkshire, to Paula C. Marriott...
headlined Burn the Floor's run at the Shaftesbury Theatre
Shaftesbury Theatre
The Shaftesbury Theatre is a West End Theatre, located on Shaftesbury Avenue, in the London Borough of Camden.-History:The theatre was designed for the brothers Walter and Frederick Melville by Bertie Crewe and opened on 26 December 1911 with a production of The Three Musketeers, as the New...
in London's West End. The show ran from July 21 to September 4, 2010.
Achievements
In 2004 and 2005, Brian won the North American Top Teacher competition. and in the same years, he was the Imperial Dance Sport Champion. Brian is a certified judge by the United States Terpsichore Association.Filmography
Brian appeared as a featured dancer in the film, The Aviator. He was also the choreographer and dancer in the television drama South BeachSouth Beach (2006 TV series)
South Beach is a primetime television drama that ran from January 4, 2006 until February 22, 2006 on UPN. Created by Matt Cirulnick, one of its executive producers was singer/actress Jennifer Lopez. The program was panned by critics and shunned by viewers, finishing 152nd in the Nielsen TV ratings...
starring Vanessa L. Williams
Vanessa L. Williams
Vanessa Lynn Williams is an American pop-R&B recording artist, producer, dancer, model, actress and showgirl. In 1983, she became the first woman of African-American descent to be crowned Miss America, but a scandal generated by her having posed for nude photographs published in Penthouse magazine...
.