All posts tagged: dancer

The Repair Shop: The emotional story behind Britain’s first Black professional ballet dancer Julie Felix and her pointe shoes

The Repair Shop: The emotional story behind Britain’s first Black professional ballet dancer Julie Felix and her pointe shoes

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Britain’s first professional black ballerina was left “winded” and “breathless” after witnessing the restoration of her historic pointe shoes on the BBC’s popular programme, The Repair Shop. Julie Felix, a London-born dancer who is of Caribbean heritage, brought the very ballet shoes she wore for her inaugural professional solo performance four decades ago to the reality series. Her emotional appearance offered a poignant reflection on the profound struggles she endured throughout her pioneering career, with her mother remembered as her staunchest supporter. Ms Felix recounted a pivotal moment in the 1970s when a London ballet company explicitly rejected her due to her race, stating: “we can’t have a brown ballet dancer in the line-up of the swans”. This stark discrimination ultimately compelled her to seek opportunities abroad, shaping her remarkable journey. She subsequently secured a contract with the all-black Dance Theatre …

The Repair Shop: The emotional story behind Britain’s first Black professional ballet dancer Julie Felix and her pointe shoes

Julie Felix: The emotional story behind Britain’s first Black professional ballet dancer and her pointe shoes

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Britain’s first professional black ballerina was left “winded” and “breathless” after witnessing the meticulous restoration of her historic pointe shoes on the BBC’s The Repair Shop. Julie Felix, a London-born dancer, of Caribbean heritage, brought the ballet shoes she wore for her first professional solo performance four decades ago to the popular reality programme. Her appearance offered a poignant reflection on the struggles she endured throughout her career, with her mother remembered as her staunchest supporter. Felix recounted a pivotal moment in the 1970s when a London ballet company rejected her due to her race, explicitly stating, “we can’t have a brown ballet dancer in the line-up of the swans”. This discrimination ultimately led her to seek opportunities abroad. She subsequently secured a contract with the all-black Dance Theatre Of Harlem, based in New York, a move that shaped her professional …

The Repair Shop: The emotional story behind Britain’s first Black professional ballet dancer Julie Felix and her pointe shoes

Julie Felix: The emotional story behind Britain’s first Black professional ballet dancer and her pointe shoes

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Britain’s first professional black ballerina was left “winded” and “breathless” after witnessing the meticulous restoration of her historic pointe shoes on the BBC’s The Repair Shop. Julie Felix, a London-born dancer, of Caribbean heritage, brought the ballet shoes she wore for her first professional solo performance four decades ago to the popular reality programme. Her appearance offered a poignant reflection on the struggles she endured throughout her career, with her mother remembered as her staunchest supporter. Felix recounted a pivotal moment in the 1970s when a London ballet company rejected her due to her race, explicitly stating, “we can’t have a brown ballet dancer in the line-up of the swans”. This discrimination ultimately led her to seek opportunities abroad. She subsequently secured a contract with the all-black Dance Theatre Of Harlem, based in New York, a move that shaped her professional …

Strictly Come Dancing 2026 confirms major change for professional dancer

Strictly Come Dancing 2026 confirms major change for professional dancer

Published by Daniella Wilson

Nadiya Bychkova is the second Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer confirmed to exit ahead of the upcoming series on BBC One. Bychkova had been one of the names rumoured to have been axed from the entertainment programme, though the BBC nor the dancer substantiated the claims. In a statement posted on social media, Strictly Come Dancing said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to Nadiya Bychkova for her incredible contribution to Strictly Come Dancing. “Since joining the show nine years ago, Nadiya has brought elegance, artistry, and unwavering dedication to the ballroom, and she will always remain a cherished member of the Strictly family. Nadiya Bychkova. BBC/Ray Burmiston “Over the years, Nadiya has delivered countless memorable performances, showcasing not only her exceptional talents as a dancer and choreographer but also her brilliance as a teacher to all her celebrity partners. “A consummate professional, Nadiya embodies the very best of what Strictly stands for. We are deeply grateful for everything she has given to the show and wish her every success for the future.” …

Goldie Hawn’s dancer granddaughter Rio’s appearance in new family video leaves fans saying the same thing

Goldie Hawn’s dancer granddaughter Rio’s appearance in new family video leaves fans saying the same thing

Published by Daniella Wilson

Goldie Hawn’s famous family has once again delighted fans – this time thanks to a playful new video featuring her granddaughter Rio Hudson. Actor Oliver Hudson took to Instagram to share a light-hearted clip of himself dancing at a shopping mall alongside his young daughter. Captioning the post simply, “Dancing at the mall with Rio Hudson,” the proud dad showed off the pair’s energetic moves as they laughed and danced together. © InstagramThe proud Dad shared a video with Rio But while the sweet father-daughter moment charmed viewers, many were quick to focus on Rio’s striking resemblance to another well-known member of the family. Fans flooded the comments section pointing out how much the youngster looks like Kate Hudson’s eldest son, Ryder Robinson. “She looks just like Ryder,” one follower wrote, while another added, “Your daughter looks so much like Kate’s oldest son.” Others echoed the sentiment, noting the cousins’ similar features and family likeness. © InstagramOliver and Rio having fun at the mall Rio is part of Hollywood royalty, with grandparents Goldie Hawn and …

BBC must take Strictly off-air during major behind-the-scenes overhaul, says pro dancer

BBC must take Strictly off-air during major behind-the-scenes overhaul, says pro dancer

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Former Strictly Come Dancing star Kristina Rihanoff has called for the BBC show to be “rested” for a year amid the ongoing changes to its cast of professional dancers. The competition has undergone one of its biggest behind-the-scenes shake-ups to date, with five professionals reportedly being axed from the show. It’s believed that Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas, Gorka Márquez and Nadiya Bychkova have been told that their contracts are not being renewed for 2026, alongside Karen Hauer – the show’s longest-running professional. Strictly will also be getting two new hosts this year following the shock departure of presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman in October. open image in gallery Karen Hauer is the latest star who reportedly won’t be returning to ‘Strictly’ this year (Getty Images) In light of the reported cast cull and the arrival of two new presenters, who …

Britain’s Got Talent dancer Kerri-Anne Donaldson found dead at home had been accused of ‘child sex offence’, inquest hears | UK News

Britain’s Got Talent dancer Kerri-Anne Donaldson found dead at home had been accused of ‘child sex offence’, inquest hears | UK News

Published by Sam Flores

A Britain’s Got Talent dancer found dead at home had been arrested over a child sex offence just days earlier, an inquest has heard. Warning: This story contains descriptions some readers may find distressing, including references to suicide. Kerri-Anne Donaldson’s body was discovered in Farnborough, Hampshire, on 7 June 2023 – the day after she was discharged from hospital. The 38-year-old had been taken into custody and questioned at a police station on suspicion of “child sex offending” three days before her death, the hearing was told. Ms Donaldson, who reached the semi-final of the TV talent show in 2014 as part of dance group Kings and Queens, was arrested on 4 June 2023 about the alleged sex offence, which she denied. After going missing and being found at a hotel in Woking, Surrey, she was taken to nearby St Peter’s Hospital, having taken an overdose. But she was discharged on 6 June, then Ms Donaldson was found dead at her home the following morning, Winchester coroner’s court heard. At an inquest into her death, …

Dancer Kerri-Anne Donaldson took her life three days after arrest over alleged sexual offence, inquest hears | UK News

Dancer Kerri-Anne Donaldson took her life three days after arrest over alleged sexual offence, inquest hears | UK News

Published by Sam Flores

A dancer who appeared on Britain’s Got Talent was found dead three days after being arrested on suspicion of a sexual offence, an inquest has heard. Warning: This story contains descriptions some readers may find distressing, including references to suicide. Kerri-Anne Donaldson, who reached the semi-final of the ITV show in 2014 as part of the dance group Kings and Queens, was discovered at her home in Farnborough, Hampshire, on 7 June 2023. Her sister, Cara, described how the night before she was found dead, Ms Donaldson, 38, had said she had made the decision to take her own life. Two days before that, on 4 June, Ms Donaldson was arrested and questioned at a police station about a “sexual” offence, which she denied, an inquest held at Winchester heard. After being released, she did not return home, leading her family to report her as a missing person before she was found at a Travelodge hotel in Woking, Surrey. Cara told the hearing that when she arrived there, Ms Donaldson was being taken to hospital …

Which DWTS pro dancer has won the most seasons? A full breakdown of the result numbers

Which DWTS pro dancer has won the most seasons? A full breakdown of the result numbers

Published by Daniella Wilson

Dancing With The Stars turned 20 in 2025, and as the fall season comes to an end on November 25, it’s time to take a look back at the past 33 Mirrorball Trophy winners before a 34th is crowned. The celebrity winners have included season one winner Kelly Monaco – who, controversially, was forced into a dance-off after surging from behind to beat the consistently strong John Murphy – and most recently Joey Graziadei. But which professionals have also scooped the trophy, now known as the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy after the late judge? There have been 19 professional winners, and in the least surprising news you may read today, the pro dancer with the most wins is, of course, Derek Hough. Len Goodman tribute on Dancing With The Stars Derek made his first appearance on Dancing With The Stars in season four (week 6) as a guest instructor with his sister, Julianne Hough, and Apolo Anton Ohno. He joined the series full-time in season five and won for the first time in season seven with Brooke Burke. …