The first single I bought
I remember going to Woolworths in Bishop Auckland in County Durham to buy 5, 6, 7, 8 by Steps. I’d put it on repeat and practise the dance moves so that when we got to the school disco, everyone would say: “Follow Scarlett. She knows what’s she’s doing.”
The song I do at karaoke
I can’t sing, so I do karaoke to encourage anybody after me. Once they’ve heard me murder Lovin’ You by Minnie Riperton, they’ll think: “At least I won’t be as bad as her.”
The song I inexplicably know every lyric to
I’m a massive fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race, where Manila and Delta did this amazing lip-sync to MacArthur Park by Donna Summer. I’d watch it on repeat to drum the words into my head, so now it’s one of my favourites.
The best song to play at a party
I have a lot of house parties and sometimes it’s a bit stale in the kitchen where everyone is just having a chat. As soon as you put on September by Earth, Wind & Fire, everyone starts dancing.
The song I secretly like but tell everyone I hate
There’s a 17-year age gap between me and my little sister, Ava. She went through a phase where she loved Alvin and the Chipmunks, where everything’s really squeaky and high. I must admit, even when I’m in the car on my own, I do listen to their version of Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance.
The song I can no longer listen to
I don’t know if it’s because every northern working men’s club plays Penny Arcade by Roy Orbison to death, but every time I go to my local, they play it about five times. Everyone gets on the chairs, clapping and dancing and I just don’t get it. That’s my cue to go to the bathroom or order a taxi.
The song that changed my life
I was about seven when I first watched Calamity Jane, and Just Blew in from the Windy City made me want to dance like Doris Day. If I hadn’t started ballroom and Latin dancing lessons for 15 years, I probably wouldn’t be in the job I’m in now because I don’t think I would have the confidence to do TV.
The song that gets me up in the morning
It doesn’t matter what the weather is outside or if you’ve had a crap day the day before, if you listen to Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles, you’re instantly in a good mood.
The song I want played at my funeral
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life from Monty Python. I’d like to do one last sarcastic joke before I leave.
Scarlett’s Driving School starts 13 February, BBC One, 8.30pm.
