Lilia Kopalova listens to the radio in her London apartment. She as just been announced as the latest pro dancer on the hit show 'dancing with celebrities'. Lilia or 'Lily' to her friends, moved to London three years ago from Latvia, after winning a contract to be a extra dancer on the show. Working her way up to being a pro dancer. She is five feet four inches, gingery auburn hair down to her back, brown eyes and the most amazing muscular hour glass figure you could see. She was ridiculously beautiful.
Lily is in a relationship with fellow pro dancer Oleg Volkov. He is a good looking arrogant man who has had a string of affairs. He controlled Lily. She tried to leave him, however he said he would turn the other Pro dancer against her If she did.
The day comes to film the launch show episode, the day the pro dancers find who their celeb partners will be. All the lady dancers get changed in one big room. Lily looks around at these dancers who haven't said two words to her since she replaced the popular Stacey Matthews, who is now head judge. Lily sits alone pondering over who her partner might be. She looks down the names of sportsmen, actors, reality stars and television presenters. Then at the bottom of the list;
Comedian -- Walter Prentice.
Walter Prentice was a extremely successful comedian in the late eighties, his career waned when he was accused of groping a woman backstage at one of his shows. He struggled to find work after that. He fought in the courts to clear his name eventually winning, the woman made it up because he wouldn't sleep with her. He manufactured a new career for himself as a quiz show host. Mounting debts crippled him, so when he was offered Β£100,000 to go on the dance show, he took it.
LIVE SHOW.
"Our next celeb dancer is a member of the pop group Icy London, it's Kylie Myles."
Kylie was a gorgeous voluptuous BeyoncΓ© look-a-like. Men wanted her and she knew it, she looked amazing in a short salsa style dress.
"Your dance partner is.... Oleg Volkov."
Kylie jumped on him wrapping her legs around him, even though it was on live television, he grabbed her arse like the arrogant pig he was. Lily looked down trodden as Oleg walked off the dance floor with Kylie still holding her arse.
"Next up is our newest pro, Lilia Kopalova. Let's see who you end up with."
Lily looks at the footballer Martin Jones or the Dee Jay Mr spins.
"Your partner is..... Walter Prentice."
Lily and Walter hug. She pretends to be happy about it, inside she's crying looking at Walter, 58 years old, overweight and no dance history. Lily distressed on having to spend every day training with him.
Lily walks in the launch show party with Walter. Sniggers, pointing and laughing from the other dancers and celebs, leaves tears in her eyes.
"Oh Lily good luck with your Adonis." Laughs Oleg.
"I'm so sorry Lily that your lumbered with me. I hope I don't humiliate you." Walter said apologetically.
Lily just smiled and left him to talk to her one friend on the show.
"On your own already Walter."
Walter recognises the voice of presenter of the show the beautiful Camilla Smart. They had worked together in the late eighties.
"Hi Camilla, yes she's left me already. I don't know why I'm doing this. The girl is obviously disappointed to have me as a partner, as for that Oleg guy."
"Oleg is a first grade twat, he groped me last year, I threaten to get him kicked off the show. Your a good man Walter please don't give up."
Camilla left to mingle with the other stars and celebs. There was already a clique forming with the pop stars, footballers, Dee Jay's and pro dancers.
WEEK ONE THE TANGO.
Monday and Tuesday were difficult for both Walter and Lily. Lily's toes and feet were so sore from Walter's constant trampling of them.
"Bloody hell Walter. My feet are my Lively hood are you trying to end my career."
"Sorry Lily, I'm trying my best."
The pair argue for most of two days. Walter struggles to grasp the basic tango steps. They leave the training room Tuesday night not talking. Lily returns home to find a note from Oleg saying he as gone to premiere with Kylie. She grabs some salad, showers and retires to bed.
Walter returns to his one bed flat in Central London. Pours himself a large gin and tonic, he looks at the news on his iPad its all depressing, he presses his answer machine;
'There are no new messages'
He pours another gin and tonic, watches something on Netflix and slowly falls asleep, tears in his eyes.
Wednesday and Thursday sees Walter improve slightly. The basic tango moves nailed, now just the rest of the dance to pick up. Lily is still cold towards Walter just keeping it professional. Friday sees rehearsal day for all the couples in the show. Lily stands at the side of the dance floor her heart breaking as Oleg and Kylie's samba gets steamy, with the two of sharing a kiss.
Fridays rehearsal is okay but Saturdays live show is a disaster, Walter trips mid way through the dance pulling Lily down with him. Leaving them with a score of nine from the four judges, lowest score in the history of the program.
Walter and Lily are ridiculed backstage. Walter is so embarrassed for Lily.
"I'm so sorry Lily, I'm mortified."
"Just piss off out of my sight, Walter."
Walter heads home via the off license to pick up a bottle of vodka. He pours a large glass, he sits on the sofa pondering over what happened, he downs the vodka and pours another. Hours later Walter is passed out, empty vodka bottle on the floor.
Lily returns to her apartment, regrettable feelings in her head on she spoke to Walter. She reads a note from Oleg saying ' gone to a nightclub with Kylie'. She eats some salad, showers and retires to bed.
WEEK TWO AND WEEK THREE SAMBA AND AMERICAN SMOOTH.
Lily arrives at training room in the back of a gym, Walter is already there. She apologises for how she spoke to him, new week, new start. The training goes well, the samba is a dance where you can have some fun. Walter's comic looks and timing is perfect for the dance, but basically it's Lily gyrating and jumping around him while he swivels his hips, smiling.
Friday's rehearsal goes well, at least Walter as stayed upright so far.
Saturday's live show and Camilla Smart is about to introduce Walter and Lily. Walter is nervous, his demons are screaming at him "You will fail!" Lily takes his hand, smiles at him.
"You will be good Walter, just believe in yourself."
He felt twenty feet tall, her words mixed with that smile. It certainly worked, Walter made no mistakes as Lionel Richie's dancing on the ceiling filled the studio. The couple scored eighteen. Lily gave Walter a hug.
Walter sat at home with a glass of red wine, he feels so much better about himself. He keeps picturing Lily's smile in his head.