Tom Selleck once jumped to Princess Diana‘s aid by taking her for a spin on a dance floor — and he says he did it to spare her from petty gossip about John Travolta and her.
The actor tells this interesting story in his new memoir, ‘You Never Know’ … explaining he was lightly cajoled into slow dancing with the late Princess of Wales in 1985 at a White House state dinner in order to ward off rumors she and Travolta were hooking up.
The way Selleck tells it, he was minding his own business — hanging with Clint Eastwood in the East Room — when Princess Di and the “Grease” actor decided to hit the dancefloor for a second time, and a woman rushed up to them speaking rapidly.
Tom says this person told him Di and John dancing again could lead to rumors the 2 fancied each other … and, firmly asked if he could step in to replace Travolta.
Selleck shot that idea down real quick, saying there’s no chance he’d cut in on a groovin’ JT … and, instead compromised by agreeing to dance with the Princess after the song ended.
TS says he was super nervous to cut a rug with Diana after her dance with Travolta. Thankfully, a slow song came up next and Selleck says he didn’t have to match John’s impressive dance moves.
Tom describes Diana as a shy girl in the book though he adds she was a tremendous conversationalist … an area in which he admits he fell short that particular night.
Selleck says his then-girlfriend, now-wife Jillie Mack, danced with the then, Prince Charles, for a song … and, when it ended, Clint tagged Selleck out and took up the role of Princess Diana’s partner. Quite the star-studded night on Di’s dance card!
Bottom line, Selleck saved Diana from catching a case … of “Saturday Night Fever!” C’mon, you were thinking it, too.