Surrey Ballroom and Pilates

Ballroom and Latin: Competitive career; 2000&2001 - World Ballroom Champion; 2001 - European Ballroom Champion; 2000&2001 - Open British Ballroom Champion; 2000&2001 - United Kingdom Ballroom Champion; 2000 Monaco Ballroom Champion, performed for and danced with Prince Albert of Monaco; 2000 - International Ballroom Champion; 1991,1992,1993 - Open British and International Junior Ballroom Champion; 1991,1992,1993 - Open British and International Latin Championships 2nd Place; 1989 - Open British and International Juvenile Ballroom Champion; 1989 - Open British and International Juvenile Latin Championships 2nd Place; TV /Film Appearances; 2008 - CBBC Ballroom Dancing judge on CBBCs 'Help! Teach is coming to stay'; 2004 - BBC1 'Strictly Come Dancing' Appearance as professional dancer in the first ever series; 2001 - 'They think its all over 'Appearance as World Dancesport Champion; 1999 - 'Entrapment' Ballroom Dancing scene with Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta Jones; 1996 - Beautiful South 'Blackbird on a wire' music video; 1991 - 'Whats up Doc' Live Latin American Performance and interview; 1990 - 'Live and Kicking' Documentary on Ballroom Dancers; 1989 - Japanese television programme 'Worlds most talented kids', performed in Tokyo, Japan; 1989 - Blue Peter Performance and interview as Juvenile Ballroom Champion; Live Performances; 2008 - Argentine Tango performance with mark Ramprakash at The Tower of London for the launch of the new Ford Fiesta; 1997 - Performance for Elton Johns 50th Birthday at Hammersmith Palais; Corporate Projects; 2007/2008 - David Lloyd. Retained on an 18 month contract as a consultant and responsible for the conception, definition and implementation of a Ballroom and Latin product offering/services for David Lloyds 78 Health Clubs.

My Ballroom Dancing career started at the age of seven at a local dancing school in Manchester. At the age of ten I formed a partnership and at the age of 11 we went on to become the International and Open British Juvenile Ballroom champions. At the age of 12 we moved up to the Junior ranks and continued our success by becoming the Open British Junior Ballroom Champions for three consecutive years at the age of 13, 14 and 15.
This was the first time in 25 years this had been done.

Winning the International Junior Ballroom Championship and the Closed British Junior Ballroom & Latin Championships.

This partnership also took me to Japan to appear on a children's TV programmed titled 'Worlds most talented children' as well as appearing on Blue Peter and 'What's up Doc' here in the UK.

At the age of 16 I turned Amateur and formed another new partnership.

In 1995 we made the final of the Open British Amateur Ballroom Championship, held at the Winter gardens in Blackpool. This again developed into a very successful partnership.

We began travelling and entering competitions world-wide. We went on to become twice World, British & UK Ballroom Champions as well as European & International Ballroom Champions.

We travelled to Asia, America and Europe lecturing, teaching and performing shows. We also appeared on various television programmes in the UK including 'They think it's all over' and 'The Generation Game'.

We were also involved in the dancing scenes in the very famous Hollywood blockbuster 'Entrapment' with Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta Jones and performed live for Elton John at the Hammersmith Palais for his 50th Birthday party.

In 2002 I retired from competing and went onto appear in the first ever series of the now hugely popular 'Strictly Come Dancing' I was partnered with popular comedian Jason Wood. It was a fantastic experience and a thoroughly enjoyed being part of the programme.

After taking part in the first series myself and my husband made the move to Guildford. Sine then I have set up and now run many classes and private lessons in and around the Surrey area for both Adults and children.

I am still involved in television and in 2008 was a guest Ballroom Dancing judge on a children's programme called 'Help! Teach is coming to stay'.

In September of 2008 I performed a live Argentine Tango show with Mark Ramprakash outside the Tower of London for the promotion of the new Ford Fiesta.

Pilates Level 3 Diploma Qualified

Since my early dance training I have been made to be constantly aware of my posture and movement. Nine months before winning the World Championships I started personal training with a Pilates instructor.

I developed a passion for the technique and wanted to learn more. After retiring from Ballroom dancing competitions in 2002 I found I had a developed a huge interest in Pilates.

I found it hugely beneficial for my dancing, and had a huge desire to develop a deeper understanding of the technique and use it to improve both my dancing and my teaching skills.

This lead me onto a training course in 2002 and over the last seven years I have progressed with my knowledge and teaching skills and now hold a Level 3 Diploma in the Pilates Technique. I now use this technique to help people with general fitness interests but also use the technique with many of my private dance lessons as well.