Hoylake-born impressionist Jan Ravens defends her Strcitly Come Dancing former partner Anton Du Beke

Oct 16 2009 by Janet Tansley, Liverpool Echo

Jan Ravens in Africa

MERSEYSIDE-born impressionist Jan Ravens has defended her former Strictly Come Dancing partner Anton Du Beke after his racist scandal on the hit show.

The performer, who danced with Du Beke three years ago, spoke glowingly of the South African despite branding him “stupid”.

Du Beke cause outrage after using racist language to current dance partner Laila Rouass.

He immediately denied being a racist but faced calls to quit the prime-time BBC show.

She said: “What a stupid thing to do.

“It’s one of those things he is going to be kicking himself for for a long time.

“We had a brilliant time and such a laugh at rehearsals, we were always laughing and joking.

“Anton said I was the funniest and rudest partner he had. We did have such an outrageous, giggly time. It was great, great fun.”

But she added: “It was the most terrifying thing. The Saturday night broadcast, dancing in front of all those people, millions of people... I spent the entire time I was doing it will galloping butterflies.

“But I loved learning to dance. It was such an amazing experience and opportunity that I couldn’t say no to it.

“I was doing something at TV Centre the other day and I saw all the women, Laila Rouass, Natalie Cassidy and co, and they were all so nervous and I thought ‘thank the Lord I’m over and done with it’.”

Jan, from Hoylake, is currently on tour with her one woman show “A Funny Look on impressions”, which she ends with a performance at the Brindley Theatre in Runcorn on October 22. She said: “ I love theatres like the Brindley because whereas London audiences can seem quite blaze, at these theatres people seem so much more pleased to see you.”

“I’m going up and down the country with my tour manager Annie and at first we started off in our Ford Galaxy like Thelma and Louise - now we’re more Marjorie and Bunty.”