Dave Arch is the man in charge of making the magic happen every week (Image: BBC/Guy Levy)Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxMore Newsletters SubscribePlease enter a valid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.More NewslettersWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More infoThank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow me See OurPrivacy Notice See OurPrivacy Notice×Group 28 Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxInvalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.Sign UpNo thanks, closeWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info×Group 28Thank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow MeNo thanks, closeSee our
Privacy NoticeAs the musical director of Strictly Come Dancing, Dave Arch is the man in charge of making the magic happen every week. The 61 year old pianist, composer and conductor has worked on the BBC show since 2006 and fronts the in-house orchestra, providing the soundtracks for the performances in the iconic ballroom. He began his career after studying at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama, before going on to become a member of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. He plays jazz piano at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club with vocalist Madeline Bell, and, as a pianist, he’s worked on films including The Imitation Game, Gravity, The Grand Budapest Hotel and Harry Potter.
Dave fronts the BBC show’s in-house orchestra, providing the soundtracks for the performances in the iconic ballroom
(Image: BBC)
In 2016, he released his own debut album, titled Coming Home, and he’s also recorded with superstar artists including Tina Turner, Elton John and Paul McCartney. As well as working on Strictly, Dave is musical director for recent productions of the Royal Variety Performance as well as shows like Stepping Out and Popstar to Operastar. According to the Daily Mail, Dave was worth £2.5 million in 2016, with estimated yearly earnings of £300,000. Away from screens, Dave has kept his private life out of the spotlight. However, we do know that he’s married and shares two sons and one daughter with his wife and they live in Hertfordshire. Despite being happily married, Strictly fans once speculated that he was in a relationship with co-host Claudia Winkleman, but the pair are just friends and have been for years.
He’s good friends with host Claudia Winkleman
(Image: BBC)
Claudia often gives him shout outs during live shows, and previously called him “wonderful”. She said: “Our wonderful Dave Arch was honoured this week with a honorary degree from The Prestigious Skills Hall, which is absolutely extraordinary. So I think we should have a round of applause. We love him. Congratulations to Dave.” One episode even saw the pair dressed as bride and groom, which left viewers in stitches. Claudia, 52, who has been married to film producer Kris Thykier since 2000, also joked that her “fantasy” dance would be a “three-way” samba with Dave and her co-presenter Tess Daly. During an interview she discussed her ideal dance partners if she was to perform a routine. She said: “An Argentine tango with Vincent Simone. But my main fantasy dance is a three-way samba with Tess and Dave Arch. I’m talking big feathered dresses and three of us doing samba rolls in unison. I’ll leave that image with you. Sorry if you feel nauseous.”Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnStrictly Come Dancing
