Strictly Come Dancing Rewind: Series Three

Darren Gough (professional partner is Lilia Kopylova)

He started his cricketing career for Yorkshire aged 18. Since then, he's represented Yorkshire, Essex and, of course, England. Nobody contributed more to England's four consecutive series victories (in 2000 and 2001) than Darren - he was Man of the Series against both West Indies and in Sri Lanka. On the one-day tour of New Zealand in 2001 to 2002, Darren damaged his knee in the final match and was forced out of the Ashes tour and the World Cup the following winter. The ensuing three knee operations threatened to end his career, but somehow he willed himself back to fitness in time for the 2003 season. Darren then decided to retire from Test cricket and focus his attention on the one-day game, and was the first Englishman to take 200 ODI (One Day International) wickets.

 

At the time, Darren said of his dancing ability: "The last time I danced was after a semi-final win against Australia. Freddie Flintoff and I did some rock 'n' roll moves. I also won a prize for rock 'n' roll dancing at a youth club when I was 16 – but only three people entered." He promised to give it 120 per cent and it paid off - he won Strictly Come Dancing to the delight of millions.

 

James Martin (professional partner was Camilla Dallerup)

Ever since his first TV appearance in November 1996 (after being spotted in the Hotel Du Vin in Winchester by Sky), he has rarely been off screen. He's appeared on over 40 different TV programmes including Ready Steady Cook, BBC Housecall, Kitchen Invaders, Castle in the Country, Out of the Frying Pan, Hell's Kitchen and Junior Masterchef. After graduating, James toured France working in old chateaux. At 21 he was head hunted to take up the position of Head Chef at the Hotel du Vin and Bistro in Winchester, and for the past few years he's managed his own deli and bakery, Cadogan & James. Of his involvement in Strictly Come Dancing, James was hoping to get fitter and have fun. He did very well, making it to week 9 before he was voted off. 

 

Gloria Hunniford (professional partner was Darren Bennett)

The television presenter was the first woman to have her own daily show on Radio 2, which she presented for 13 years until 1995. She was also one of the first women to host her own highly successful chat show Sunday, Sunday which ran for many years and Open House with Gloria Hunniford was a huge hit on Channel 5. Born in Northern Ireland, Gloria is warm, funny and down to earth. She has always enjoyed dancing and took lessons as a child. In fact, Gloria and her husband still enjoy a bit of a bop and a jive. Her daughter was television presenter Caron Keating who tragically lost her battle with breast cancer in April 2004, aged 41. Gloria took part in Strictly Come Dancing to do something for herself, get fitter and have fun along the way. She was voted off in week 3.

 

Colin Jackson CBE (professional partner was Erin Boag)

Undoubtedly one of the greatest athletes in the history of British and Welsh athletics. He is the reigning world record holder for the indoor 60m hurdles. His outdoor 110m hurdles record was broken by China's Liu Xiang in 2006. In 2002 he made history by becoming the European champion for the fourth successive time (in indoor 60m hurdles). The same year, he won a Silver medal at the Commonwealth games in Manchester (after hitting the first hurdle!), and he also won Gold at the European Championships in Munich. Since he retired in 2003, Colin has worked as a sports commentator for the BBC, written his autobiography and received the CBE. He also traced his roots for the BBC programme Who Do You Think You Are? It wasn't a surprise to see the dedicated athlete finish as runner-up to Darren Gough.