Interview with Lee Ryan for The Real Dirty Dancing
Category: Press Pack ArticleAn interview with Lee Ryan for The Real Dirty Dancing
Any articles using this interview must credit The Real Dirty Dancing starts Monday 21st February at 9pm on E4 and All 4
Why did you sign up to the Real Dirty Dancing?
I love Patrick Swayze. He's was taken from us too soon. Bless his soul. But my other favourite film is Ghost, it's such a fantastic movie. But I’ve always been a massive fan of this movie too. You never think that you'd come across a show like this, so to get offered to do it...! I thought it was just amazing and I said yes straight away. Do you know anyone who's just seen Dirty Dancing once? It's like a classic that you can watch again and again. It’s like a warm feeling when you hear the music. When I was dancing to all the songs, I just forgot how iconic the songs make the film. And it's gives you that nostalgic, warm feeling.
What do you make of Baby?
She’s cute! The whole storyline is about this young, cute, timid unworldly person who has a privileged background that walks into a world that she knows nothing about and meets this amazing guy who makes her turn into a beautiful butterfly. Brings her out of her shell. And that's the amazing story that we see and can all relate to in a way.
When you were doing the challenges were you trying to channel what Patrick did or were you trying to perhaps bring a bit of a new take on Johnny?
I was definitely trying to get that Patrick intensity into the dancing because that is what the whole thing's about. I mean, as much as the moves are important. Dancing is expression, acting is all combined. And I think that's the great thing about dancing. You can get lost as much as you can get lost singing or you can get lost acting or you can get lost dancing equally.
Having been on Strictly, did you feel confident to handle the dances?
I've danced since I was a kid, so that was just something I did. And I always turn around and say I went out second in Strictly so I can’t have been that good! But I've danced all my life with Blue, obviously I joined Blue when I was 16, but I was in stage school before that and did ballet, tap, modern and jazz. I trained in dancing for many years. But it was never my forte. I always loved singing more than dance and acting. I think what put me off dancing when I was younger is because when I first walked into drama school, obviously I grew up on a council state in Southeast London so all these kids walking around with jazz hands and I was listening to Boyz II Men. Suddenly I walked into this school and they're all like.. ‘jazz hands’.
What were the sets like?
When you see it all set up the way they did the production, I just mean, big shout out to the whole production. The set design was absolutely fantastic. So a big shout out to those guys because we walked on set and it just felt like you stepped into the movie. It was fantastic.
What was it like attempting the iconic lake lift?
I really enjoyed it. The water scene is probably one of the most iconic scenes in the film and it was great. It was hard, really hard because you’re trying to lift someone above your head like that in water!
Were there any mishaps trying to do that lift?
I don't want to give too much away, but it wasn't plain sailing! But it was cool. It was a great experience doing that because it was such an iconic part of the show.
How did you get on with everyone else?
I think the rest of the guys that I was on the show with were just quality. We had so much fun and everyone was so up for it. And we really felt like we were a little family by the end of it. There's still constant banter on the WhatsApp group that we have between us and it's nice. It's nice to make new friends and we'll cross each other's paths in the future, I’m sure. I've known Arg for years and he's a great guy and I love him to bits. And like I said, with Ashley, I've worked with her many, many times. So you get to meet some lovely people and then we may cross paths again in the future.
How would you sum up the experience on the Real Dirty Dancing?
Just awesome. I can't wait for people to see it and I'm very privileged to be able to do these kind of things. The show is so unique. To actually be a part of something like this is amazing. It's another thing that I'll think of on my deathbed when I'm older and think, "Oh, I did that and that's great.”
END