Strictly no pain, no gain

Blisters, backaches and broken toes are dominating the new season of Strictly Come Dancing.

The contestants are in pain from weeks of dance training for the local version of the British-inspired Latin and ballroom celebrity dancing reality show, which started on July 18.

Actress and model Leandie du Randt's feet had terrible blisters caused by her 5cm-heel court shoes.

"I got really bad blisters from being stuck in those shoes for five to six hours daily since June 23. The blisters are better, but now I have the worst back pains, which are from the leaning-back posture of the dance routines," she said.

The 26-year-old is one of 10 celebrities taking part in the season, among them socialite Khanyi Mbau, former rugby player John Mametsa, superbiker Janine Davies, comedian Donovan David Goliath and actor Ashish Gangapersad.

Davies, who is one of three South African women to compete at national level in superbiking, said she believed she had "broken my toe and fractured a rib muscle".

"My dance experience is mostly from parties. I am a tomboy, rough. This is a first for me. As long as I can still move I am fine," she said.

As with every season since the show's inception in 2006, the celebrities are paired with professional Latin and ballroom dancers who teach them the routines of each week's show.

After each routine, they face judges Samantha Peo, Michael Wentink and Tebogo Kgobo-koe, who critique and score each couple. At the end of the show, the public gets to vote and the couple with the least votes is eliminated.

The executive producer of the show, Kee-Leen Irvine, said it had grown since the first season eight years ago.

"The cast is a lot younger and pitched to a different audience and we've also introduced new dance styles," she said.

Hosted by television personalities Roxy Burger and Katlego Maboe, the show is aired live on Fridays from a set at the SABC studios. There are 150 cast and crew members.

Nine cameras film the dance floor, which boasts 190 lights and 30 microphones. More than 100 different musical scores are played each season, which are compiled by musician extraordinaire JB Arthur.

But it is the close to R1-million spent on silk, satin and lace that bring glitz and glam to the show - thanks to a wardrobe department headed by Lynn Driver.

She works with six designers, who are expected to produce a total of 100 outfits for the contestants by the end of the season.

"We bought 300000 crystals at the start of the season and about a kilometre of feathers - and we'll probably end up using more crystals as we progress.

"The designers work under huge pressure and can't really work ahead, because we don't know who's leaving each week," said Irvine.

The colours and designs of the outfits are determined by the type of dance. A palette of pastels is used for ballroom, whereas more vibrant colours are reserved for Latin. The tango features black, red, purple or orange and the paso doble involves a cape and fringing.

On the night of the show, the contestants, presenters and judges are put through the costume department, which includes four makeup artists and four hairstylists.

This process can last up to 45 minutes for the women. The men have it slightly easier.

Retired Blue Bulls player Mametsa, 33, said his lace-up, 2.5cm-heel shoes were "painful".

"My feet are still hurting. Those platform shoes are hectic. The pants are so tight. Last week, I couldn't go to the bathroom for close to five hours.

"I haven't even tried the G-string. Everything is so tight that you would rather wait to get out of the clothes after the show because I would need help to undress to use the toilet," he said.

But it could all be worth it in the end when one couple is crowned king and queen of ballroom - following in the dance steps of previous winners such as Zuraida Jardine, Riaan Venter, Hip Hop Pantsula, Emmanuel Castis, Rob van Vuuren and Zakeeya Patel.

Watch Strictly Come Dancing on SABC3 on Fridays at 8pm.

mbeleg@sundaytimes.co.za