Kara Tointon: Strictly changed my life, I'm loving living with Artem

By Nick Mcgrath

Last updated at 12:40 AM on 22nd September 2011

The 28-year-old reigning Strictly Come Dancing champion and former EastEnders actress lives in North London, with her Strictly dancing partner Artem Chigvintsev

Work of art: Kara's Alexander McQueen dress

RED CARPET MOMENT

Normally when I go to awards ceremonies I sit there feeling uncomfortable, fiddling with my dress all night, but at the 2010 National Television Awards I decided to splash out on a beautiful Alexander McQueen dress.

It’s a simple black dress which might sound a bit boring but it’s so beautifully tailored it fitted perfectly — it’s stunning. And I’ll always recall it because Alexander died a week later, too.

I haven’t worn it since and now it’s covered up and hanging in my wardrobe like a piece of art.

MEMENTO

Artem and I have recently moved in together. We’ve spent the past year doing up our flat, and taking pride of place on the mantelpiece are our Strictly Come Dancing winners trophies from last year’s series.

I’ve always loved dancing and grew up doing ballet and tap, but learning how to ballroom dance properly was a once in a lifetime opportunity and the show really did change my life.

It’s one of those experiences I’ll never forget — I even managed to bag myself a man, too — an added bonus.

PERSON

Artem is just such a great person and I’m really enjoying living together. He always makes sure I’m OK. He’s a bit annoying really as he’s good at everything — he’s a good cook and I’m rubbish; he’s really neat and tidy and I’m messy. So I guess we are the yin and yang, but my point is normally the negative one. He’s brilliant and I couldn’t ask much more of him, he’s a really good partner.

PLACE

I was born in Essex and I think it’s important for people to be passionate about their roots. It was a big part of my life, growing up there and going to school there.

I live in North London now, but I’m always visiting my family in Essex and, despite the fact that people think it’s all white stilettos and as portrayed in The Only Way Is Essex, I’m really proud of the place.

Perfect partners: Kara and Artem with the trophy that now takes pride of place in their home

TV SHOW

The Inbetweeners is one of my favourite shows, and when my sister Hannah joined the cast, I loved it even more. When she got the part I thought, ‘brilliant’, but the things she had to do were mortifying. I can’t even repeat them.

Hannah said to my Nan: ‘I can’t allow you to watch it.’ But my Nan, bless her, saw it. She just said: ‘Well, nothing surprises me anymore.’ Put it this way, Hannah and Joe, whose girlfriend she plays, got to know each other pretty quickly on that show.

PLAN B

I was quite disillusioned with performing before I did Strictly Come Dancing last year and my plan, at that point, was to use the money from that show to pursue my passion for interior design and ditch acting. I went to art school, but I kept taking acting jobs, so it never pro-gressed, but it has always been my plan B.

ESCAPE

When I was growing up, we used to go skiing in Austria every year and I totally fell in love with it. Now, when I close my eyes and I’m trying to relax, I picture myself on top of a mountain, with the sun beaming down on the white snow. It’s makes me feel very calm.

Favourite painting: Jack Vettriano's tango dancers

ARTIST

A couple of months after winning Strictly I was sent a package from the artist Jack Vettriano, who I love. He’d sent a signed book of his work saying how much he’d enjoyed watching me in the show, which was lovely. My favourite painting of his is of a man and woman on a beach dancing a tango. It’s sort of Spanishy and beautiful.

BAND

My favourite band of all time is Queen and my favourite song of theirs is These Are The Days Of Our Lives, which I know is quite soppy.

I was only about eight when Freddie Mercury passed away, and I didn’t really know anything about him, but my mum introduced me to Queen’s music after his death and I’ve always loved watching Freddie as he’s such an amazing performer.

Artem likes them, too, and for our final dance on Strictly Come Dancing last year, we danced to Don’t Stop Me Now, which is a great song but unbelievably hard to dance to.

CO-STAR

I’ve just finished four months in the West End playing Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion, which was exhausting but fantastic, and it’s really reawoken my love of theatre.

It was also unbelievable to be sharing the stage with one of my heroes, Rupert Everett. He has become my mentor and is now a great friend. I’ve learned so much from him. He’s the first person I’d invite to a dinner party. There’s never a dull moment, so you’re always quite excited to hear what he’s got to say, because it’s always hilarious.

Admiration: Kara respects the talent of the late Freddie Mercury, left, and her West End co-star Rupert Everett

ADDICTION

I’m really into milkshakes, particularly chocolate, and there’s a place near our house that does Oreo Cookie ones which I’ve become really addicted to. I’ve always had a thing about chocolate, I just can’t resist it. I have been known to wake up first thing in the morning, with Artem wondering what I’m doing, and consume a whole bag of giant chocolate buttons before I’ve even got out of bed. it’s probably not the world’s healthiest breakfast.

SCENT

I’ve never been a huge fan of sweet floral scents, so I’m not really into perfumes, but I do like men’s aftershaves — the one I’m wearing at the moment is called Aventus by Creed, and when I wear it I always get lots of really nice comments. It’s quite musky and calming — not at all flowery — and Artem likes it. But we don’t do swapsies with him wearing my perfume or anything like that. He likes Oud Wood by Tom Ford.

Kara Tointon took part in a charity horse ride last weekend to help launch personalised text codes from JustTextGiving by Vodafone. To sign up for your own free personalised fundraising text code visit www.justtextgiving.com





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