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Jade’s Strictly rift with Ian

You’d think Olympic long-jumper Jade Johnson and her dance partner Ian Waite would be on cloud nine after notching up an impressive 35/40 for their foxtrot at the weekend. Not a bit of it. The Strictly Come Dancing hopefuls are apparently brawling like cat and dog.

Jade, 29, is desperate to do well in the competition, and 38-year-old Ian has found himself in the firing line on more than one occasion as they practice their jive ahead of the show’s Blackpool trip.

“Jade is a really strong personality,” said an insider on the show. “She’s in it to win it and she won’t accept second best from herself – or Ian. They are getting very frustrated and Jade is used to picking things up much more quickly than this.

“There have been a lot of cross words and everything has got a bit emotional. They are falling out, but they always make up. Everything looks effortless on the dancefloor but in reality it’s a long and hard slog. Being a contestant on Strictly is not an easy ride whether you’re a celebrity or a professional.”

Meanwhile, Strictly staffers are busying themselves for the appearance of ageing rocker Rod Stewart, who’ll be clambering up Blackpool Tower to serenade his wife Penny Lancaster while she dances with Matthew Cutler. Excited?

by Stewart Turner, Wednesday 4 November 2009

Source: The Sun

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