I have no dance training but I am a natural like Anita. So no ringahs here.

Good I don't have to worry about you having to live under a railway bridge then.

that sounds semi-pro to me!

Paul Liburd is such a beautiful dancer, he totally deserved his European Dancer of the Year award.
Although having just double checked, I think I might be giving him a greater result that he got. He competed in the 1987 European Dancer of the Year and won Dance Critics’ Circle award for Best Male Dancer (Contemporary) a couple of times but I was sure he'd landed European Dancer in 1991 ish. Ah well, he's still good

And thank you, the only way is up

Oh wow yes! I see what you mean.

I probably make John Sergeant look like Fred Astaire sadly.

6 years of Freestyle dancing and about 3 years of Cheerleading when I was younger - so some would probably say I was a ringah, I'd say god no! I can pick up choreography quite quickly, but because of my dyspraxia I'd have tons of trouble with the actual technique. I'd probably be worst at Charleston, I've tried doing some swivel action and I just don't get it, that and lifts would be a nightmare and I'm crap at gurning

I am proud to have won two bottles of champagne for my dancing

Crikey, what a year of it you've had! You've got such a great attitude, that propelled wheelchair will hopefully make things easier for you soon.

I wish!

I did classical ballet and character dance for 10 years or so, suspect it'd probably be more of a hindrance than a help though.

Cadiva, had no idea you'd been through so much, I'm in awe of how well you're handling it x

I'd be a complete duffer (why not 'duffah'?).

Never had a dance lesson in my life; have an on/off relationship with rhythm; and have a certain amount of difficulty with the whole right/left malarkey.

However, if I were to seal a Faustian pact, or make a successful novena to Saint Jude, and ended up dancing better than other people's favourites...

Some people would be quick to point out that, throughout my formative years, I spent 6-8 weeks of each pre-Christmas period learning Scottish country dancing at school.

This rigorous dance training, alongside my failure to declare it, would no doubt be seen as definitive proof of ringah-dom.

Tis why I was so quiet on the boards during last year's SCD I couldn't even hold a phone or type until about November and then there was no blooming internet or phone signal at Chapel Allerton

Dirty ringah!

Despite what some ballroom people say, ballet does help enormously. You will have great posture, a strong core and an ability to pick up choreography and sequences really quickly. You will also be able to adjust your body to any instruction very quickly and partner very well.

I was approached by a US dance studio to train with them as a teacher and picked up all the main ballroom dances, plus some classic American dances with 2 months intensive training. Disregard negative remarks about ballet. It usually comes from those who have no clue as to what we learn when we study it!

Dance lessons as a child with a few local performances.
Surely that applies to most females at least.

But some people have a natural gift for rhythm and remembering routines.
The idea that people who had some dance experience are ringers is daft IMO.

I believe that almost anybody can become a competent dancer with a dance training. But those without talent, rhythm, will have to work very hard to achieve a level that comes naturally to those with a talent. And they will never be as good.

I thought you never taught latin and ballroom, sofakat?

I don't think there have been any negative statements about ballet - just pointing out that the techniques are very different. For the purposes if strictly and perfomance I'm sure it would help.

Deleted.

Does dancing with my dad at a holiday camp as a child count me as a ringer? I used to stand on my Dad's feet while he was doing the waltz! Used to love it because it made me feel grown up and I was doing the waltz without having to do anything!
Other thank that I did the ballet, tap, jazz etc as a child from 2 1/2 up until I was 17 when my knees finally gave out - would loved to have given ballroom and Latin a go.

I have taught both as a profession. Not really sure what your point is Ellie.

What I have seen is a few people making statements about how ballet training hampers ballroom - from people who have never studied ballet and do not understand the training or the flexibility.

Simple fact - ballet dancers can take up ballroom and be really rather good at it, but ballroom dancers could never take up ballet in any serious way and reach anything like the exacting standards required.

Doing it as an adjunct to their ballroom training is, however, a good idea.

Many years of ballet as a youngster, as a consequence rubbished feet ankles and knees

Core got too pot

I suspect my proficiency with a walking stick now would definitely give me ringer status in a charleston

Being larger round the middle than I should be and having short arms probably gives me an advantage in ballroom hold as I couldn't help but not gap.

I could never understand how Lisa and Alison had gapping issues, but then I don't have massive boobs.

I think on the whole I have so many advantages I would be the ringeresty ringer evah and have at least 20 threads on the forum dedicated to declaring it.

Mind you the minute I died gasping after a quickstep everyone could then proclaim I should never have been allowed on the programme.

Cadiva , get well soon hunxxx

Ballet would most definitely help enormously with the posture and elegance of ballroom but it wouldn't do a lot for latin though would it, the techniques are pretty much polar opposites.

My hips just don't, won't and never will be able to swivel like that