Strictly Come Dancing has welcomed back two of its legendary professional dancers for a special segment on It Takes Two, where they look back on their history on the BBC show. Former couple and professional partners Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone appeared on It Takes Two tonight, where they opened up about their time on the show.
Vincent and Flavia both joined Strictly in 2006 and stayed on the show for six years. They joined Strictly as both romantic and professional partners, however they eventually split in 2007. Vincent later married wife Susan Duddy in 2015 before divorcing three years later, while Flavia has been married to ex-contestant Jimi Mistry since 2013.
The ex couple reunited on It Takes Two tonight, having last appeared on screen together in an episode of The Generation Game in 2018. “Oh my goodness, I haven’t seen Flavia for a while,” Vincent told the cameras. “It will be lovely to see her again. It will be nice to catch up and think about our beautiful memories that we had.”
The pair looked back at their first TV appearance together, which was Strictly Dance Fever in 2005. That same year, they were brought into Strictly to choreograph an Argentine Tango, which had not been done on the show before.
“When Bruce introduced us, he was saying, ‘They are my favourite couple,'” Vincent said, while Flavia added: “He used to say that about everyone but I do think it was his favourite dance.”
After leaving Strictly in 2012, the duo toured together for nine years and were nominated for an Olivier Award. Vincent later returned as a choreographer to help with Argentine Tangos on the show, while Flavia last appeared on It Takes Two back in Choreography Corner in 2021.
“Me and you left a legacy,” Vincent said on the show. Flavia added: “Can I get my dance shoes?”
During Flavia’s time on the show, she made it to second place with Matt Di Angelo – who she dated for three years – on the 2007 series, before winning with gymnast Louis Smith in 2012. Vincent also took second place during the 2008 series with Rachel Stevens, before ending his time on the show in fourth place with Dani Harmer.
Flavia is now married to Jimi Mistry, with the pair living on a seven-acre farm in Devon. They now sell fresh produce from their farm and run a bakery.
She said on Lorraine after her move: “I never retired, I just needed a break.
I toured for eight years and when me and Vincent started touring, we would do seven, eight shows a week in each venue. We did that for eight years – I stopped in 2018, I was just exhausted.”