
Former 'Desperate Housewives' actor James Denton dishes on the challenging experience competing on the French version of 'Dancing with the Stars' and the lingering physical pain it left him with.
- Dec 29, 2024
AceShowbiz - James Denton's time on France's version of "Dancing with the Stars" was filled with a mix of thrilling experiences and lasting physical challenges. The actor opened up about his exhilarating yet painful journey in a recent Christmas Con panel.
The 61-year-old "Good Witch" star shared his reflections on competing in the French reality show with his dance partner, Candice Pascal, noting that while the adventure was rewarding, it did come with its share of aches and pains.
"It was a huge adventure, but both my knees are just destroyed. I am still trying to recover," Denton reiterated, emphasizing the rigorous four-month training and competition period. Despite the physical toll, he found the experience incredibly fun and was appreciative of the supportive people he met along the way.
Denton's decision to join the French version of "DWTS" was influenced by unforeseen circumstances. The strike by Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild in 2023 left him available to accept the opportunity. The massive popularity of his TV show "Desperate Housewives" in France also played a crucial role in his decision.
"I never would've done the show here because I'm not a dancer. They've asked me to do 'Dancing with the Stars' in France a bunch of times because 'Desperate Housewives' was huge there, and I've never even considered it," Denton remarked.
Stepping into the world of dance competitions was a challenge beyond Denton's usual acting roles. "It terrified me, and I knew then that I had to do it. But it was terrifying. Terrifying!" he admitted.
Despite this fear, he was thrilled to make it to week six, a milestone that brought a mixture of relief and joy. "I just didn't want to be out the first week or two. I wanted to stay around a while. When I got voted off, the host said, 'I've never seen anybody so happy to get voted off.'"
One aspect that kept Denton on edge was the difference in routine lengths. French "DWTS" routines are often longer than two minutes compared to their shorter U.S. counterparts, adding to the intensity of the competition. To navigate his stay in France, Denton humorously relied on the phrase, "Je suis désolé, mon français est nul," translating to "I'm sorry, my French sucks."
Although he was glad to have survived six weeks, Denton acknowledged the superior skills of the remaining competitors, attributing his own survival to the generosity of his fans. "The people that were left were so much better than I was, and I just survived because the fans were really nice and they kept me alive, I think," he concluded.
Denton's heartfelt reflections capture a journey marked by both adversity and triumph, showing that sometimes stepping out of one's comfort zone can be both terrifying and incredibly fun.