Dance star gives Borders full points for presentation

Ally McGilvray • Published 21 Jun 2010 15:25 0 Comments

Share this

STRICTLY Come Dancing star Camilla Dallerup waltzed into the Borders last week - and gave the region full points for presentation.

The 36-year-old Danish-born ballroom dancer, who won the TV celebrity dance show with Holby City actor Tom Chambers in 2008, visited Earlston on Thursday.

She joined pupils at the local primary school for a dance performance after they won a nationwide competition and then passed on some of her own secret moves.

And the TV presenter, who has also appeared on ITV reality show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, revealed she was swept off her feet by the beauty of the Borders.

Speaking to the Border Telegraph, Camilla said: "I loved it. I've been to Scotland before but never to the Borders. I saw some beautiful scenery on the way here and we got held up by some sheep which I thought was very interesting. I was like: 'Stop driver! I want to take a picture - this is awesome'.

"I do like this country because I find the culture very similar to Denmark which is where I'm from. It is a very close knit community and I got a very warm welcome when I arrived."

Earlston was one of six primaries to win a visit from a celebrity in the national dance competition for schools. The Bone Factor Tour was organised by the National Osteoporosis Society.

Hundreds of schools from across the UK entered the competition which was designed to teach children how to 'Boogie for their Bones'. Pupils submitted a video or photographs of a choreographed dance which helped them to build stronger bones.

Earlston was selected for their unique and creative dance as well as their understanding of the importance of weight-bearing exercise and a healthy diet to increase bone health.

And, last week, pupils performed their winning dance for Strictly Come Dancing star Camilla, who then passed on some of her own secret moves. They also took part in a fun nutrition session to learn about the importance of healthy eating for their bones.

Camilla said: "I've just watched the children perform and I was very impressed because, when you have that many young people dancing at the same time, dancing in time with the music can be difficult. But they were brilliant - absolutely brilliant.

"I think dancing is a really great skill to learn in school because it teaches social skills as well and how to interact with one another. It doesn't matter what kind of dancing it is, if children learn to perform in front of an audience they learn confidence and that will stand them in good stead when they go for a job interview later on in life."

The Boogie For Your Bones dance is aimed at exploring dance as a fun form of exercise to keep bones healthy.

Earlston dance teacher Mrs Angus said: "I must be honest I haven't watched Strictly Come Dancing before but all the children were really excited."

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.

Border Telegraph Poll

Do you prefer the new road layout in Galashiels to the old system?

Follow @bordertelegraph