Ali: 'Get Jonny Wilkinson in lycra!'
Thursday 15 July 2010
Ali Bastian charmed the public with her beautiful ballroom dancing and how humble and lovely she came across as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing last year.
And now, more than seven months on, her impressive dancing display has seen the actress add another string to her bow career-wise, as she will be dancing alongside professionals in the forthcoming West End show Burn The Floor.
Speaking about this career development, Ali tells Closer Online: 'I am the only non-professional in the show. I am so honoured to have been asked to be part of this and to share a stage with such amazing dancers.'
She also says that dancing has done her the world of good as far as keeping in shape is concerned: ‘It really does change your figure and posture. I feel stronger now than I ever felt in my legs and in the middle. It’s amazing for core stability.
‘When I went to see my physio after Strictly, he couldn’t believe how much my posture, strength and flexibility had improved.’ Check out what is involved in Ali's Ballroom Body Plan here!
While dancing is doing wonders for Ali’s career and figure, work commitments mean she won’t be able to go on a romantic holiday with her boyfriend, professional dancer Brian Fortuna.
Ali was partnered with Brian on Strictly Come Dancing, and after weeks of viewers witnessing obvious chemistry between the two, they admitted they were an item late last year.
She tells us she and Brian are doing 'really great', adding that she would 'give it a go' when we asked whether she reckons she’ll give him a run for his money in the dancing stakes when they perform in Burn The Floor.
Before you start thinking what cute parents Ali and Brian, both aged 27, would make, the former Hollyoaks actress has no plans to start a family anytime soon.
As for the next series of Strictly, Ms Bastian reckons Sarah Jayne Dunne (Mandy from 'Oaks) would make a fab contestant. She says: ‘That girl knows how to move. I think she’d be really good at all the Latin and also very elegant in the ballroom. I think she’d be able to do both.’
And while we’re rather upset that Peter Andre turned down Strictly, like Ali, we’d quite like to see Jonny Wilkinson in lycra on the BBC One reality show.
Dancing is clearly a big part of Ali’s life, but acting is where her heart is and she has never wanted to have any other job: 'I’ve never had a Plan B which I think is maybe helpful. It kept me focussed.
'After playing Becca on Hollyoaks, I didn’t have anything lined up. I took a bit of a leap of faith and knew it was time to go. I had a really nice run there. I got The Bill within a month.' 
Although Ali is in touch with people on Hollyoaks, she didn’t realise that Carley Stenson who plays Steph Cunningham is leaving. After we’d informed her, she said: 'I am in touch with her but haven’t spoken to her for a bit. I wish her so much luck for the future. I think she’ll do really well.'
Ali's icon is actress Cate Blanchett, but she has been starstruck by other people in her life too.
She told us: 'I get starstruck over the most bizarre people. It’s weird. I forget which Suchet brother is the newsreader. I saw him [John] at the airport and was like, oooh he’s been in my sitting room since I was a little girl.'
Before we finished speaking to Ali, we had to tell her how great we thought she was looking at the moment and ask whether she ever had any body worries. She says a bit of fake tan makes her 'feel better in her skin' before getting into a bikini! Sounds about right!
By Anisa Kadri
Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna will be performing in Burn The Floor on at London’s Shaftesbury Theatre from 21st July to 4th September 2010.
For more information, head to www.burnthefloor.com and www.shaftesburytheatre.com, or ring the Box Office for tickets on 020 7379 5399.