GAPA dancers surprise Katie Derham on live TV

Hayward’s Heath young performers have enjoyed their share of the Strictly Come Dancing limelight.
Katie Derham with Eastenders star John Partridge, John Tsouras (Hairspray) and GAPA Principal Suzanne GielgudKatie Derham with Eastenders star John Partridge, John Tsouras (Hairspray) and GAPA Principal Suzanne Gielgud
Katie Derham with Eastenders star John Partridge, John Tsouras (Hairspray) and GAPA Principal Suzanne Gielgud

Suzanne Gielgud, principal of the Gielgud Academy of Performing Arts (GAPA), explains: “BBC TV Proms and Radio 3 presenter Katie Derham was taken by surprise on live TV on Strictly Come Dancing’s It Takes Two programme.

“The BBC2 TV show screened a choreographed good luck message while she watched on the set with her Strictly partner Anton Du Beke and presenter Zoe Ball.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The dancers in the film were all pupils at the Gielgud Academy of Performing Arts (GAPA) in Haywards Heath, and the two stars of the dance film message were Katie’s very own daughters Natasha, 15, and Eleanor, 10, who are both pupils at the school.”

Natasha and Eleanor VincentNatasha and Eleanor Vincent
Natasha and Eleanor Vincent

Suzanne added: “Katie Derham has been a staunch supporter of GAPA since its inception. In fact, both Natasha and Eleanor came along to our very first open day five years ago. Since then Katie has shown her support each year by contributing to our website films, and I felt that putting together this show of support for her and Anton was a great way of thanking her for her support over the years.

“The video message took two weeks to choreograph, rehearse, costume, film and edit and featured modern, tap, ballet and ballroom steps, culminating with score batons being held up to reveal the words Vote Katie and Anton.

“During the two weeks of preparation the whole thing had to be kept a secret from Katie to ensure she gave a genuine surprise reaction on live TV. Luckily the school (and Katie’s entire family) managed to keep the secret and the enchanting surprise reaction from Katie on the live TV show was well worth the effort.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The full version of the dance can be seen at www.gielgudacademy.co.uk.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be among the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make our website your homepage

2 Like our Facebook page

3 Follow us on Twitter

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!

Be part of it.

Related topics: