Inside Bobby Brazier’s surprising faith that’s been the secret to his success on Strictly
BOBBY BRAZIER is being guided on his Strictly Come Dancing journey by his Hare Krishna faith.
But since signing for the BBC One dance show, EastEnders actor and model Bobby has never mentioned his beliefs, preferring instead to talk in just vague terms about his “spirituality.”
The closest he’s come to revealing it on the show was during a recent episode when he and professional dance partner Dianne Buswell shared a session of meditation — a big thing for Hare Krishna followers.
The faith is an offshoot of Hinduism. Its devotees are often seen in the streets dancing, drumming and chanting.
A TV insider said: “Bobby’s belief in Hare Krishna has been the secret to his success while on the show, as it helps him remain calm, grounded and focused.
“Although his image as the snake-hipped pin-up of this year’s series is in contrast to the look that we usually associate with devotees.
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"But Bobby is just one of a long line of artists who have turned to Hare Krishna for their inspiration.”
He is, indeed, in famous company.
Others enthralled by the faith have included The Beatles guitarist George Harrison and Culture Club singer Boy George.
And it certainly seems to be helping Bobby on Strictly, as he’s been finishing near the top of the scoreboard every Saturday night.
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‘So much happier’
Just before appearing on the dance contest, the actor posted an Instagram video in which he described having a moment of realisation while visiting a Hare Krishna temple.
Bobby said: “I had to make a video because I had an experience earlier.
“I was at the temple — when I went in and when I went out, the same person was standing outside.
“And they said to me: ‘Wow, you look so much happier now you have come out from when you went in.’ And it was so true.
“It’s just really made me start thinking.
“If you’ve been following me for a while or if you’ve known me for a while, you’ll know that I’ve been searching through many different phases for the same thing that we’re all searching for, that we’re all hankering after — bliss and love and knowledge and peace and contentment.”
He added of the Hare Krishna movement: “I’ve had the blessing of meeting some incredible devotees who have really taken me under the wing and been really merciful upon me.
“And they are just the most beautiful, happy, content, smart, intelligent people.”
If he can only convert Diane now then the pair will be an unstoppable force.
Zoe has fear of balls-up
ZOE BALL admits she worries about saying the wrong thing on her Radio 2 breakfast show – and suffering the consequences.
She said: “I’m really lucky to be doing a job and still doing it 30 years later.
“I could be cancelled at any moment – it’s a risk every morning that you are only one sentence away from cancelling yourself.”
Zoe – who presents Mamma Mia: I Have A Dream! on ITV1 – also admits that she had to deal with getting trolled on social media.
She said on the Table Manners podcast: “I’ve got a Twitter account but I tend to use it for work.
“People feel sometimes that they want to tell you terrible stuff.
“The most important thing is your family and your friends. I love that my mates take the mickey out of me, and your kids bring you down to earth.”
If only all celebs could be so philosophical.
DAVINA IS LADY OF LETTERS
FROM finding love matches on My Mum, Your Dad to reuniting people on Long Lost Family, Davina McCall has her hands full.
But in her younger years, she kept busy by reaching out to a loftier clan – the Royal Family.
Chatting to comic Richard Herring on his RHLSTP podcast, Davina revealed: “I’ve been writing to the royals since I was eight.
"Someone told me if you write a letter to the Queen they write back.
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“I got a letter with Buckingham Palace and the wax on the back, and it was from the lady-in-waiting, saying the Queen wanted me to write to you!
“Then I wrote one to Princess Margaret, one to Princess Diana, Prince Charles, I wrote to William and Kate . . . honestly, I’ve written to everybody.”