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British Female Professional Dancers? |
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#1 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Wirral
Posts: 42
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British Female Professional Dancers?
There seems to be a veritable lack of British Professional female dancers (or are they all hiding under Blackpool rocks?).
All of the female Professionals in SCD are from other countries (Russian states, Antipodean, Italian etc.) it seems a shame that there don't seem to be any home grown talented females. Are there any out there? |
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#2 |
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Stratford-Upon-Avon
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Who was the last British female dancer to dance on the show?
Was it Karen? |
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#3 |
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: North-West England
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Gaynor Fairweather?
Peggy Spencer? |
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#4 |
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Guest
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 14,621
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Quote:
There seems to be a veritable lack of British Professional female dancers (or are they all hiding under Blackpool rocks?).
All of the female Professionals in SCD are from other countries (Russian states, Antipodean, Italian etc.) it seems a shame that there don't seem to be any home grown talented females. Are there any out there? The current pro latin British National Champions are Rachael Heron (from liverpool) and her professional partner Gregor (he is from Slovenia but they dance for the UK and she is UK born and bred) |
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#5 |
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,215
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There is also Lisa Bellinger and Amy Bennett who are our other current highest ranking British female latin professionals.
In ballroom we have Richard Still and Morgan Hemphill. They turned professional only recently. |
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#6 |
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 17,127
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Quote:
Who was the last British female dancer to dance on the show?
Was it Karen? Although Flavia did represent England when she and VIncent danced together professionally. I know she was born in Italy but then she came to England as a tiny child and learned all her dancing here. I don't know if she says she's Italian or British, but maybe we can claim her! |
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#7 |
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Join Date: Jul 2008
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To be fair I think Flavia is the last British female profs dancer in Stricly, she;s been trained in UK since she was 6 yrs old and took the competitions for UK flag, yes SCD should takes a few a origin dancer from UK give them a chances
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#8 |
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 301
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Lisa Bellinger is my dance teacher's daughter!! Spoke to her a few times and see her all the time (claim to fame, haha).
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#9 |
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Netherlands
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I consider Flavia to be British. But I think it's a shame there are so few British dancers on the show, also male dancers. It's a British show, I'd like it if at least half of the dancers were British.
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#10 |
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,506
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I like our current crop of pros (well, give or take a few
) but it would be nice if Strictly did more to promote British dancers as more British pros in the future or maybe giving up-and-coming or established British dancers a chance to showcase on prime time TV during the results show or on the tour.
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#11 |
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,190
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I'm another person who regards Flavia as British - she's spent most of her life here, she speaks with an English accent, represented UK - I'm sure she's proud of her Italian roots but surely she'd want to be seen as British too.
However, I do agree with OP - there should be a greater effort from the producers to find and use British dance talent for SCD - male as well as female dancers. |
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#12 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 577
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Quote:
There seems to be a veritable lack of British Professional female dancers (or are they all hiding under Blackpool rocks?).
All of the female Professionals in SCD are from other countries (Russian states, Antipodean, Italian etc.) it seems a shame that there don't seem to be any home grown talented females. Are there any out there? |
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#13 |
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,320
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Quote:
I consider Flavia to be British.
And some of the Eastern European girls are other nationalities aren't they (passsport wise). Katya is Canadia (despite having Lithuainian/Isralian roots?), and Aliona is now American (she recently got her citizenship which she's thriled about) so, while I'm sure she will aways consider herself to be Russian in roots, she probably feels just as much American. And it's what the heart feels that matters isn't it (when it comes to these things)? I don't know what kristina would consider herslf as (apart from obv Russian). She, along with Artem and Pasha, seem to have their lives pretty much in America when not on Strictly don't they? If Ola isn't a British citizen already then I'm sure she will become one soon (because of being married to a Brit and living here so long). Plus hasn't she represented the UK as well in dancing? Edit, sorry, Kristina lives here now doesn't she because of Joe Calzaghe (he who has an Italian name but is perfectly Welsh)
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#14 |
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,073
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Hazel Newberry - SCD2.
3 months commitment to Strictly thoroughly disrupts a pro dancer's competitions and teaching life. An observation attributed to Nicole Cutler and Flavia was that for the actual hours and travel they put in for Strictly, they grossed earnings per hour below minimum wage. |
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#15 |
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Join Date: Sep 2009
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Ola >>>>
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#16 |
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Join Date: Apr 2006
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Lilia is also a British Citizen and danced for the UK with Darren, they held the Professional Latin British National Champions title for 2 years (2005/06 I think)
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#17 |
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,190
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Quote:
Hazel Newberry - SCD2.
3 months commitment to Strictly thoroughly disrupts a pro dancer's competitions and teaching life. An observation attributed to Nicole Cutler and Flavia was that for the actual hours and travel they put in for Strictly, they grossed earnings per hour below minimum wage. I'm sure there would be some British pros that aren't competing now but just teaching/doing exhibitions that would jump at the chance of appearing in SCD . |
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#18 |
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Join Date: Oct 2010
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Can I ask a question, as know there are some real ball room buffs on here?
There was a British male pro - going back 10 years or so - but he was apparently the best in the business- Donnie Burns. Could he be a replacement for Len or would it be a step down for him - (I know Gaynor Fairweathers hubby could earn mega bucks training wealthy asian wannebe dancers - so why would they bother with Strictly) |
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#19 |
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,304
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Quote:
Can I ask a question, as know there are some real ball room buffs on here?
There was a British male pro - going back 10 years or so - but he was apparently the best in the business- Donnie Burns. Could he be a replacement for Len or would it be a step down for him - (I know Gaynor Fairweathers hubby could earn mega bucks training wealthy asian wannebe dancers - so why would they bother with Strictly) |
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#20 |
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 103
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Quote:
Donnie was the one they asked to do the show first but he declined. He was the one that recommended Len to the producers.
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#21 |
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 672
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Quote:
Donnie was the one they asked to do the show first but he declined. He was the one that recommended Len to the producers.
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#22 |
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Join Date: Nov 2006
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Quote:
On ITT Len said it was Erin who recommended him? Maybe they both did?
He definitely seemed to be involved in the show initially when you go back to this press release http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pre...2004_ent.shtml |
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#23 |
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Join Date: Dec 2009
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Quote:
If Ola isn't a British citizen already then I'm sure she will become one soon (because of being married to a Brit and living here so long). Plus hasn't she represented the UK as well in dancing?
Yes, Ola and James danced for England, as did Darren and Lilia. Ola would definitely be eligible for British citizenship now if she isn't a British citizen already, she and James have been married for 8 years. I'm another who considers Flavia as British, but I guess in the end it's up to them personally as to which nationality they identify with. Technically I've got 2 to choose from, but generally say I'm British, which is purely personal choice
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#24 |
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Join Date: Nov 2007
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Hazel appeared in Strictly in 2005, but continued competing at world top 3 level until 2009/2010 I think. No doubt she was invited back, but whether Strictly and Moira Ross deserve her is a different question.
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#25 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Wirral
Posts: 42
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thanks for the replies everyone, I think I was just saddened to think there were no homegrown female prof dancers appearing on SCD. I realise that the show interferes with competitions so any 'competing dancers would find it impossible to do. I know Flavia and Ola have represented the UK but I was just trying to make the point.
It would be interesting to see what happened if Blatter's ruling was introduced here! |
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) but it would be nice if Strictly did more to promote British dancers as more British pros in the future or maybe giving up-and-coming or established British dancers a chance to showcase on prime time TV during the results show or on the tour.