UU Student Rebecca Leonard

University of Ulster student Rebecca Leonard, 22, is dancing her way to success in the BBC’s reality television series ‘Strictly Dance Fever’.

Rebecca and her dancing partner Adam Spencer are one of eight couples competing not only to stay in the Strictly Dance Fever Academy, but to lift the cash prize of £50,000 and a prestigious one year contract with a West End Musical production. 

Taking part in ‘Strictly Dance Fever’, a reality television show for aspiring professional dancers is a dream come true for Rebecca, a third year Consumer Studies student at the UU's Portrush site. Currently on a one year placement with the Dairy Council, Rebecca has come through a series of tough hurdles to get this far - and is the only person from Northern Ireland left in the competition.

She was selected to take part in Strictly Dance Fever following auditions first in Belfast and then London in March this year. During the London auditions, each of the dancers was given a partner, and Rebecca was paired with off with 19 year old student Adam Spencer from Nuneaton. Each of the thirty couples had to perform a one minute routine.  Unfortunately following the judges’ split decision Rebecca and Adam were eliminated.

However, when Rebecca returned home, she received a phone call from the BBC inviting herself and Adam back as a ‘wild card’ entry and giving them another chance to win the final place in the Dance Fever Academy.  This time, Rebecca and Adam had just 30 seconds of their music to perform part of their routine but it was enough to convince the judges that they deserved the coveted final place. 

Almost immediately afterwards, Rebecca and Adam and the nine other couples were whisked away to a large country mansion on the outskirts of London. For the next ten weeks, dancers will be put through their paces, learning a new routine each week to perform live on Strictly Dance Fever on Saturday night.

The dancers perform in front of four judges - Arlene Philips, Luca Tommassini, Stacey Haynes and Jason Gardiner. Each judge gives a mark out of ten and the judges’ marks count as 50 per cent of the final vote.  The other 50 per cent is made up viewer votes.  The public phone in for their favourite couple and the couple with the lowest vote leaves the show.

Rebecca and Adam got through the first round successfully with a brilliant performance of the Boogie Woogie. They came through the second round with flying colours and are now putting the finishing touches for this weekend’s performance when they will be dancing the lambada.

For each week they stay in the academy, the dancers are allowed two visitors, and this weekend Lisa Meneely, a fellow placement student with Rebecca at the Dairy Council, will be flying to London to offer support.

“Although their mobile phones were taken off them, they are allowed to make phone calls from the house so I’ve spoken to Lisa a few times. She was very disappointed when they were eliminated but was over the moon when she got word about the ‘wild card’ entry.”

Lisa adds that Rebecca had always dreamed about being a professional dancer, and had been offered a place a dance college in London - but because the fees were so expensive, she could not take up the offer.

“She knows that this is a fantastic opportunity, not only because of the professional training she is getting but because of the high profile of ‘Strictly Come Dancing,” said pal Lisa.

Rebecca’s mum Irene Leonard says every week Rebecca gets to stay in the Academy now is a bonus.

“Everyone has been really supportive, and we are really delighted she has been kept in the dance academy so far. The training is really tough and Lisa is aching in places she didn’t know she had but she is thoroughly enjoying the experience.

To follow Rebecca’s progress in the competition watch the show each night on BBC-3 and watch the competition live on BBC-1 at 6pm on Saturday. Show your support for Rebecca and Adam by telephoning:  0901 121 40 03 - Adam & Rebecca or texting "Vote 3" to 63633.
 

For further information, please contact:

David Young
Telephone: 028 90366074
Email: David Young