Hugh Grant admits famous dance scene as Prime Minister in Love Actually was ‘excruciating’ to film: ‘And I’m out of time!’-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro

Cinematic gold, that’s what it was, Hugh (Picture: Universal/Dna/Working Title/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)

Hugh Grant’s dance moment in Love Actually remains one of the most iconic moments in cinema – but he’s admitted it was ‘excruciating’ to film.

Just in case you need a reminder, starring as the Prime Minister in the much-loved Christmas movie, at one point, Hugh’s character enjoyed some downtime by doing, well, what we all do – dancing around the house.

He threw down some serious moves to Jump by The Pointer Sisters, shimmying his way around 10 Downing Street after a stressful day.

That was, until, a member of staff caught him in the act, and his boogie came to an abrupt end.

While the scene leaves viewers in stitches every time, the actor himself wasn’t so keen on it at first.

While speaking to Diane Sawyer for ABC’s The Laughter & Secrets of Love Actually: 20 Years Later, Hugh, 62, said his wiggling was even ‘out of time’ in the final cut.

It was actually the actor’s idea to have the secretary catch the PM in the act (Picture: Universal)

‘I saw it in the script and I thought, ”Well, I’ll hate doing that”. I didn’t fancy doing the dance at all, let alone rehearsing it,’ he admitted.

Sitting alongside him in the interview, writer and director Richard Curtis chimed in: ‘He kept saying no!’

Richard added: ‘I think he was hoping I’d get ill or something and we’d say, “Oh, well, what a shame, we’ll have to lose that dancing sequence”.’

Richard added that Bridget Jones star Hugh was ‘grumpy’ all day as they shot the scene, but he sure it was ‘a contractual obligation’ that he went through with it.

‘A contractual guillotine, yes!’, Hugh quipped.

‘And I’m out of rhythm, by the way, especially at the beginning when I wiggle my a**.’

However, Richard was pleased with how the rom com star really committed to the performance, joking: ‘I thought, “That’s agonisingly embarrassing. He’s just perfect”.’

Hugh starred opposite Martine McCutcheon for the much-loved rom com (Picture: Moviestore/Shutterstock)

Now in his sixties, Hugh has reunited with his fellow cast members to look back on the film’s 20 years (Picture: Getty)

In fact, it was Hugh himself who proposed the idea of the PM’s secretary being the one to catch him having a solo dance party.

‘And to this day, there’s many people — and I agree with them — who think it’s the most excruciating scene ever committed to celluloid,’ he said.

‘But then some people like it!’

Oh indeed we do, Hugh, indeed we do.

The Love Actually TV special sees stars of the beloved movie reunite to celebrate two decades (yes, really) since it hit the silver screen.

Fans are sure to be delighted, as the hour-long special will feature Emma Thompson, 63, Bill Nighy, 72, and Laura Linney, 58.

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Child star Thomas Brodie-Sangster will also make an appearance, with viewers sure to be stunned at how the now 32-year-old old has grown since playing little Sam.

The special will air on ABC on November 29, with no current UK transmission date currently set.

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