In a surprising turn of events, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has emerged as one of the most high-profile supporters of Strictly Come Dancing contestant Alex Kingston.
Village Unity Behind Strictly Star
The unlikely pairing stems from their shared residence in a picturesque South Oxfordshire village, where locals have been gathering in the village hall every Saturday and Sunday evening to watch the BBC show. The 62-year-old actress, who is this year's oldest competitor, has become the talk of the community.
Mr Johnson, who lives nearby with his wife Carrie and their four children, told reporters: "Alex seems to be doing incredibly well. The whole village is behind her." A source close to the community added: "Boris is part of the community which has really got behind Alex. It's lovely to see."
Shared Connections and Local Support
The connection between the actress and the former PM extends beyond mere geography. They share a personal trainer - a local fitness expert known in the village simply as 'Harrison' or 'H'. The village itself boasts thatched cottages and a medieval church, creating the perfect backdrop for this unfolding story.
The local newsletter, The Villager, has been documenting Kingston's Strictly journey with enthusiasm. One recent article urged residents: "Out of all the many splendid autumn activities that the village is providing to cheer us all up, the one you absolutely must not miss is the live screenings of Strictly Come Dancing in the village hall."
Personal Cheerleaders and Triumph Over Injury
Kingston's support system extends well beyond her famous neighbour. Her husband Jonathan Stamp has placed a "rather large bet" on her to win the competition, with her odds improving dramatically from 25/1 to 4/1. The newsletter even hinted: "Someone very close to you has a lot of money on you winning. No pressure then."
A source revealed the depth of their relationship: "Alex had a very rocky love life until she met Jonathan. He absolutely adores her, and you can see that this is the great love of her life. In many ways he saved her. He's her biggest cheerleader." Kingston was previously married to actor Ralph Fiennes and German writer Florian Haertel.
The actress recently danced the Cha-cha-cha in a hot pink fringed dress with partner Johannes Radebe to Anita Ward's Ring My Bell. Her participation had been in doubt after she dislocated a rib, but she confirmed last week she would not be stepping down from the competition.
