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?

Who was the last British female dancer to dance on the show?

Was it Karen?

Gaynor Fairweather?

Peggy Spencer?

Do you mean on Strictly or just in general?

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)

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.

Yes.

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!

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

Lisa Bellinger is my dance teacher's daughter!! Spoke to her a few times and see her all the time (claim to fame, haha).

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.

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.

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.

This thought also occurred to me the other day. Same principle withe the Premiership, where Sepp Blatter wants tro introduce a law that at last 6 of every 11 players on the pitch are qualified to play for the home country. This is a British show and whilst we should welcome talented overseas dancers to embellish the show I think 8 of the 14 dancers should be Brits.

That's what I thought too. I thought she was a British citizen?!?


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)

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.

Ola >>>>

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)

I can imagine it being disruptive if a dancer is still competing but haven't many of the pros come to SCD - having more or less finished with competitions? That was the case with Karen and I know James said recently he and Ola were teaching in Hong Kong when they were asked and I think James said something like they were advised it was too good an opportunity to turn down appearing on SCD. It was discussed in the other thread they might not get paid comparatively much to do SCD but the resulting publicity results in lots of lucrative opportunities. I know Karen eventually had to give SCD up because she had her dancing school commitments but then she also has a young child.

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 .

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)

Donnie was the one they asked to do the show first but he declined. He was the one that recommended Len to the producers.

Well there you go! Thank you for clearing that up as it has been one I have mused on

On ITT Len said it was Erin who recommended him? Maybe they both did?

It might well have been Erin...but it's the story Donnie is peddling.
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

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

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.

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!