Strictly Come Dancing fans were treated to a special episode of the hit BBC show to celebrate its 20th anniversary as it looked back at previous dancers, celebrity contestants and the most iconic moments from the show’s history. But one moment caught the attention of viewers during the ’20 Fabulous Years’ episode as they welcomed back professional dancer Darren Bennett, who looked unrecognisable 15 years after he left Strictly.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman presented the special episode and recalled Darren’s performance with former EastEnders star Jill Halfpenny that is “still talked about today”. The pair danced the Jive during the Strictly final of series two in 2004, leading them to score the first-ever 40 on the show.
(Image: BBC/PA)
Their high-energy and faultless performance also contributed to them lifting the Glitterball trophy as the Strictly champions. Reflecting back on this performance, Darren appeared on the Strictly special – 15 years after he left the BBC show.
The pro dancer, now 47, looked unrecognisable as he returned to our screens, now boasting a bald head and stubble beard. While he looked miles away from the dancer we saw on our screens from 2004 to 2009, Darren still dressed super sharp as he donned a black tuxedo jacket and black t-shirt to reflect back on their perfect performance.
Speaking alongside his wife and professional dancer, Lilia Kopylova, Darren said of Jill, “She once said to me, ‘are you dancing it like maximum?’ and I was like ‘no no no I’m sort of like 50 per cent’ and she was like ‘no no I want to be able to experience what its like to dance at full power like a professional dancer’.”
(Image: BBC screengrab)
(Image: BBC screengrab)
Jill, who also won the Strictly Christmas special in the same year, reflected back and shared: “It’s really nervewracking because it’s fast, there’s a huge amount of steps in it.” Speaking about securing the first-ever 40 on Strictly, the soap star added: “We were just elated.”
Fans flooded to X, formerly Twitter, after seeing the throwback slip of Darren and Jill’s sensational performance. One wrote: “Jill Halfpenny & Darren Bennett’s Jive remains my favourite dance of all of #Strictly.”
A second penned: “Oh wow they’ve managed to find Darren Bennett, what a throwback #strictly.” A third also shared when talking about this year’s Strictly: “I’m Still Standing has a special place in #Strictly history because of Jill Halfpenny & Darren Bennett’s Jive in the second series. but it’s nice to hear it again for a different dance.”
During Darren’s time on Strictly, he was also partnered with Gloria Hunniford, Emma Bunton, Letitia Dean, Jessie Wallace and Lynda Bellingham.
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