Eye-candy presenter, Jonathan Boynton-Lee, may have had a wobbly start in the seventh season of SABC3’s Strictly Come Dancing, but he enjoyed a victorious ending on Friday. Debashine Thangevelo caught up with the Top Billing celebrity to find out how he is taking it all in…
TWO YEARS ago, Jonathan Boynton-Lee won over South Africans in Top Billing’s 2012 presenter search. Now the 34-year- old has done it again – this time he bagged the title of season seven winner of Strictly Come Dancing, which was produced for SABC3 by Rapid Blue’s talented Kee-Leen Irvine.
Partnered with Hayley Bennett-Freidin, Boynton-Lee did not get off to the best start and really struggled with those hip movements.
While the Queen of Bling, Khanyi Mbau, and bootylicious Boity Thulo displayed their nimbleness on the dance floor and were expected to make the finale, they were, shockingly, voted out earlier in the competition.
Often chastised for his footwork, sometimes frame, too, Boynton-Lee eventually started to find his rhythm… and there was no holding him back.
After all that critiquing, he left judges Samantha Peo, Michael Wentink and Tebogo Kgobokoe smiling with unmistakable pride at seeing his transformation into a dancer at the finale.
And the viewers agreed whole-heartedly despite him getting some serious competition from his rival, Leandie Du Randt.
While those gruelling rehearsal hours are behind him,the presenter is far from putting up his feet and resting.
He says: “I was just recovering (at the weekend). But I have to start training for a boxing match.”
Shedding light on his mind-blowing freestyle aerial performance, he shares: “Ever since we did the initial James Bond number in the first week, we wanted to do an aerial act. It was very, very nerve-wracking. Your life is hanging from your wrist. During rehearsal, I fell because I didn’t put the safety on.”
Comparing Top Billing to this, he offers: “That was emotionally challenging. Nothing can prepare you for Strictly – it is the most challenging, both physically and emotionally.”
Of the journey, he reveals: “It has been completely life-changing and worth it. You realise what you can achieve and that anything is possible. Tebogo gave us a three in the first week and a 10 in the last.
“The support from family, friends and fans has been so overwhelming. And my parents were there every week.”
As for his rather tearful speech, he laughs: “I can’t remember what I said. There were so many people to thank. I made the mistake of looking at my parents first and just fell apart. There were just too many people to thank. I wouldn’t have been able to do this with another dance partner, I think. Hayley must be the most patient person I know.”
Best and worst moment?
“The first and last, respectively. That’s how perfect the whole journey was.”
Although he fielded his fair share of criticism and praise, he notes: “All the judges were fair. They were great. They give us a hard time because they want us to get better. It was why we improved.”
Still feeling a little overwhelmed by everything, he jokes: “I think I need to write a book. But I think I’m done with reality shows. I think I want to be a judge or presenter on a show. And I have my boxing match coming up.”
Aside from returning to his Top Billing family, Boynton-Lee adds that he is also writing a movie and developing a drama series – not forgetting him directing commercials.
By the way, he is a serious horror buff and gravitates towards the psychologically hair-raising stuff.
He offers: “I want to be acting, writing and directing – the whole Quentin Tarantino thing.”
Looking more toned and sculpted than ever, he confesses: “I still can’t believe I won!”
At some point, I’m sure it will sink in!