Maxime Xavier
Maxime Xavier
Paintings inspired by ‘Strictly Come Dancing’
Jay McGuinness and Aliona Vilani
Winners of Series 13, 2015
Tango
Oil on canvas (approx. 28 x 32 inches)
I started work on this painting just minutes after the Strictly final ended. Such was my enthusiasm that I worked through the night and completed the work within a few days. I chose to depict Jay and Aliona’s intense Tango performed to Prince’s ‘When Doves Cry’ – head judge Len Goodman described it as a “Mango of Tango”.
Caroline Flack and Pasha Kovalev
Winners of Series 12, 2014
Showdance
Oil on canvas (approx. 36 x 30 inches)
Caroline and Pasha hold the record for the highest number of perfect scores in a series of Strictly Come Dancing. Their breath-taking and ethereal showdance to Robbie Williams' ‘Angels’ displayed their dancefloor chemistry to perfection.
Abbey Clancy and Aljaz Skorjanec
Winners of Series 11, 2013
Samba
Oil on canvas (approx. 24 x 60 inches)
Abbey and Aljaz were the very popular winners of series 11. I have depicted them performing their semi-final Samba to George Michael’s ‘Faith’. Judge Bruno Tonioli described Abbey’s performance as “sex on legs”!
Louis Smith and Flavia Cacace
Winners of Series 10, 2012
Showdance
Oil on canvas (approx. 48 x 48 inches)
2012 was a great year for Louis Smith. Not satisfied with winning the bronze in the Olympics and Silver in European Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Montpellier, he went on to use his impressive physique and personality win ‘Gold’ in the Strictly Come Dancing finals dancing to the aptly titled ’Rule the World’ by Take That.
Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani
Winners of Series 9, 2011
Argentine Tango
Oil on canvas (approx. 40 x 40 inches)
Harry and Aliona performed their Argentine Tango to ‘Asi se Baila el Tango’ Judge Craig Revel Horwood said the dance “had authority, dominance, command, control. It was filth and I loved it!”. Harry is a repeat ’Strictly‘ performer having also appeared in one off specials for Children in Need (2010), dancing (underwater!) for Sport Relief in 2012, and the 2015 Christmas Special which he also won with partner Joanne Clifton.
Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev
Winners of Series 8, 2010
Argentine Tango
Oil on canvas (approx. 40 x 48 inches)
I have chosen to reinterpret Kara and Anton’s passionate Argentine Tango to ‘Los Vino’, transposing them from a TV studio to the sort of gritty urban environment where the dance was born. Their blossoming true-life romance may have added a touch of spice to their performance.
Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan
Winners of Series 7, 2009
Charleston
Oil on canvas (approx. 36 x 36 inches)
Chris and Ola are depicted performing the Charleston in front of “The World’s Finest Motor Car”, a Duesenberg, favourite among the Hollywood elite of the 1920’s. The couple danced to ‘Fat Sam’s Grand Slam’ taken from the 1920’s set musical ‘Bugsy Malone’. This chirpy, cheeky Charleston was a perfect match for their effervescent personalities.
Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup
Winners of Series 6, 2008
Quickstep
Oil on canvas (approx. 32 x 30 inches)
Tom and Camilla danced a jaunty quickstep to The Jam’s ‘Town Called Malice’. There was no malice in the marking for a pair so light on their feet they look as though they really could dance on water.
Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler
Winners of Series 5, 2007
Tango
Oil on canvas (approx. 40 x 40 inches)
Alesha and Matthew performed their Tango to ‘I’ll Be Good For You’ from the musical Evita. It was certainly good for this elegant couple who still hold the record for the highest average score in Strictly history. Alesha subsequently became a judge on the show for three series from 2009-2011.
Mark Ramprakash MBE and Karen Hardy
Winners of Series 4, 2006
Argentine Tango
Oil on canvas (approx. 36 x 36 inches)
Karen somehow managed to turn cricketer Mark from a straight bat into so smooth a dancer, he became known as 'Mr Snake Hips'! Their Argentine Tango to the theme from Bond film 'Goldeneye' was a highlight of the Series 4semi-final.
Darren Gough and Lilia Kopylova
Winners of Series 3, 2005
Paso Doble
Oil on canvas (approx. 30 x 40 inches)
Darren was the first male winner of Strictly, confounding expectations based on his ‘blokey’ image ahead of the show. He and Lilia reprised their best dance in the final – a Paso Doble to ‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’ by The Animals.
Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennett
Winners of Series 2, 2004
Paso Doble
Oil on canvas (approx. 30 x 40 inches)
Jill and Darren are usually remembered as being the first couple to score a maximum 40 points for a jive, but I have chosen to depict them performing a fiery and flamboyant Paso Doble.
Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole
Winners of Series 1, 2004
Viennese Waltz
Oil on canvas (approx. 30 x 30 inches)
Zoe Ball
Finalist in Series 3, 2005. Third place
Showdance
Oil on canvas (approx. 30 x 36 inches)
Zoe is depicted performing her flamboyant freestyle showdance on the Brooklyn Bridge to ‘America’ from West Side Story. Zoe now presents Strictly’s BBC Two weekday sister show, ‘It Takes Two’. Zoe’s dance partner was Ian Waite.
Alex Jones
Contestant in Series 9, 2011. Voted out in Week 11
Foxtrot
Oil on canvas (approx. 24 x 36 inches)
