Kate Silverton and the Strictly Newsreader Phenomenon
Peter was interviewed by Laura Craik from YOU Magazine for an article called: “Sexpots on the dancefloor: Kate Silverton and the Strictly newsreader phenomenon”
Here’s what Peter wrote to Laura Craik:
“Newsreaders make excellent contestants on Strictly Come Dancing. Natasha Kaplinsky was the inaugural winner of the show in 2004 and Chris Hollins walked off with the golden glitter ball in 2009. But it all started with Angela Rippon, dancing with Morecombe and Wise in the 1976 Christmas Show. There are several reasons why news presenters do so well on the shiny floor.
Reading the news is based on clear communication, a meticulous attention to detail and an ability to retain self-control. These skills are also essential for dancing a Foxtrot, the Viennese Waltz or a tango. In fact, to learn and perform any of the dances on Strictly requires close attention to detail, self-control and the ability to communicate. So, newsreaders have an advantage from day one.
There are three major differences between reading the news and dancing. Whereas reading the news requires the presenter to communicate facts and information, while sitting or standing still and being dressed conservatively, dancing is about communicating feelings and emotions through the body, rather than by using words, it’s dynamic rather than static and, of course, the dancing is wrapped in vibrant colour and sequins. These three differences give us the opportunity to see a very obvious transformation; a news reading caterpillar becomes a dancing butterfly.
Dozens of psychological studies have shown that people like a combination of familiarity and novelty. A transformed dancing newsreader offers both. Newsreaders spend a lot of time on our screens and in our ears and are therefore very familiar to us. We trust them and know them. But then, when they appear on Strictly they become novel. They look familiar, yet completely different. I think the most important change is that we see them communicate in a whole new way. They are communicating emotions rather than words, with control and meticulous attention to detail, we believe them, and this speaks to our heart.
Dancing newsreaders give us hope, they show us that change is possible, that we too have the potential to transform.”
Here’s a link to the article
Dr Peter Lovatt spent over 20 years working as a university academic. He set up the Dance Psychology Lab to understand dance and dancers from a psychological, scientific perspective. His research has been published in peer-reviewed journals and his teaching has been highly commended. Find out more about his academic life here
Peter Lovatt is an author and he has written two books: “The Dance Cure, the surprising secret to being smarter, stronger, happier” was first published by Short Books in the UK in 2020. “Dance Psychology, the science of dance and dancers” was first published in the UK in 2018. Peter has also writes commissioned articles. Find out more about his writing life here
Peter Lovatt is an international keynote speaker who delivers groovy keynotes which inspire, entertain and get minds and pulses racing. Peter has given keynote talks around the world and he has worked with organisations from different sectors, for example, in the banking, tech, creative, education, health and automotive industries. Find out more about his keynotes here
Peter Lovatt is a founding director of the Movement in Practice (MiP) Academy. The MiP Academy is a specialist provider of education in the psychology of movement and dance. MiP Academy is an accredited provider of Continuing Professional Development (CPD), Continuing Education (CE) and Continuing Professional Education (CPE), providing both anytime learning and scheduled face-to-face learning opportunities. Find out more about MiP Academy here
Peter Lovatt became known as Dr Dance through his TV and media work. He first appeared as Dr Dance on the Graham Norton Show (BBC) in 2008 and Dr Dance has since made over 1000 appearances across all major UK TV and radio networks, in magazines and newspapers and on stage. Dr Dance has made several stage shows, including “Dance Dr Dance” (2010), “INSPIRED Psychology Danced” (2011) and “Boogie on the Brain” (2018). Find out more about Dr Dance here
Peter Lovatt lives on the beautiful north Norfolk coast with his partner and their two sons.
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