Aidan Turner's Surprising Past as a Ballroom Dancer Leaves The One Show Host Amazed
During a recent episode of BBC's The One Show, actor Aidan Turner, best known for his role in the Disney+ series Rivals, left host Clara Amfo completely stunned when he disclosed a little-known chapter from his past. The revelation came as Turner, alongside co-stars Lesley Manville and James Buckley, appeared on the iconic green sofa to discuss their new theatrical production.
From Dublin Dance Floors to London's Lyttelton Theatre
Aidan Turner, 42, and Lesley Manville, 69, were guests on the Friday evening broadcast to promote their upcoming staging of Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the Lyttelton Theatre in London. However, the conversation took an unexpected turn when host Clara Amfo, 41, broached the subject of Turner's pre-acting career.
With palpable surprise, Amfo exclaimed, "Now, Aidan, I didn't know this until today, that you, Mr Turner..." Turner, seemingly caught off guard, interjected, "What are you going to say? I have no idea..." before humorously adding, "Are you the last person to ever hear about this?"
Amfo then revealed the astonishing fact: "I was today years old learning that you had a former career as a ballroom dancer!" Turner modestly clarified, "I don't know if you'd call it a career. I mean, I started when I was eight and finished when I was about 17. But, yeah, I danced. I was a ballroom and Latin American dancer from Dublin!"
Promoting New Projects and Upcoming Series
Beyond the surprising revelation, the interview served to highlight Turner's current professional endeavors. The discussion naturally flowed into his role in the highly anticipated second series of Disney+'s 1980s-set drama Rivals, which is scheduled to launch on May 15.
The new series promises to deliver more of the signature style—big hair, dramatic moustaches, and bold shoulder pads—that defined the first season. A recently released trailer offers a glimpse of the continuing saga, featuring David Tennant's character, television tycoon Lord Tony Baddingham, who miraculously survives the cliffhanger from the previous series.
In the trailer, Tennant, 54, emerges from a helicopter with the quip, "Sorry I'm late, darling. I've had a terrible headache," referencing the violent encounter that left his character for dead. The suspenseful conclusion of series one saw Cameron Cooke, played by Nafessa Williams, strike Baddingham to prevent an assault, leaving him lying in a pool of blood.
Turner, who portrays journalist Declan O'Hara in the series, is heard in the trailer describing the show as "entertaining. In the most delightful way." The preview is set to the energetic soundtrack of Billy Idol's Mony Mony, teasing further dramatic developments for characters played by Danny Dyer, Alex Hassell, and Bella Maclean.
The One Show continues to air on weeknights at 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, offering a mix of celebrity interviews, current affairs, and human-interest stories.
