Ex-Strictly dance pros help school mark milestone

Two former Strictly Come Dancing professionals have judged a competition to mark an Essex ballroom dance school's 30th anniversary.

Matthew Cutler, who lifted the glitterball trophy with Alesha Dixon on the BBC show, and his former wife and professional dance partner Nicole Cutler ranked the performances at Southend Dance Centre earlier this month.

The school was set up by Brett and Sally Vernon with just two students and now has pupils aged from five to 85.

"Our biggest achievement is creating a dancing community for so many local adults and children," said Mrs Vernon.

"People can come along and forget what's going on outside in their lives and enjoy dancing, music and socialising."

She added the "blood, sweat and tears" of the last few decades was "something to be proud of".

One-time World Amateur Latin champions Matthew and Nicole - who herself appeared on the hit TV series between 2004 and 2007 - judged the dancers' waltz, foxtrot, tango, quickstep, cha cha cha, samba, rumba and jive performances.

The students performed 90-second routines for the contest, with the winners having their names engraved on a shield.

Mrs Vernon said Nicole complimented their pupils' sense of "fun and enjoyment".

During their careers, the Vernons - who also used to compete professionally - worked with several Strictly Come Dancing couples.

They were also trained by head judge Shirley Ballas, who Mrs Vernon said was "always passionate about passing on her wealth of knowledge to others".

Mrs Vernon said the school's biggest challenge was when Covid saw it having to "claw back" its way after 18 months of closures, leading to her paying tribute to the pupils.

"Our students show us friendship and support when we are having any personal hardships, especially shown during the pandemic," she said.

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