It’s a busy Blackpool weekend for former ballerina Darcey Bussell. But she found time en route to the Tower Ballroom to pop into a Shropshire school, to meet students and unveil a plaque.
The 47-year-old, who was today taking her Strictly seat with the judges, paid a visit to Ellesmere College as part of its celebrations for winning a prestigious ArtsMark platinum award.
She used the occasion to call for an end to cuts to the arts in Britain, saying it was vital to instil discipline and passion in young people.
She said she couldn’t wait to get to Blackpool, declaring it “the home of ballroom”.
Ms Bussell won over more young fans and defended the arts during the visit.
The college has become the first independent school in England and the only one in Shropshire to win the ArtsMark platinum award for providing children and the community with arts and cultural experiences.
She was shown around by arts centre prefect Poppy Clarke, from Market Drayton, who has been dancing since she was two and was thrilled to meet her heroine.
Another dancer introduced to Ms Bussell was 15-year-old Lynx Noumey, a six-foot tall rugby player who is equally at home on the dance floor as part of the Midlands-based contemporary dance group, Flexus, as he is on the sports field.
One of Britain’s best-known ballet dancers, Miss Bussell praised the college for its work and told students that without the arts in their lives the world would be a very boring place.
“Today there are so many jobs out there if you want to go down the arts route,” she said.
“The discipline and the passion the arts give can help in all fields of life.”
She said her daughters, aged 12 and 15, both enjoyed the arts with one of them a dancer.
“I couldn’t be happier for them,” she said.
Ms Bussell said she was concerned that at a time of economic slump the arts could suffer.
“It is the arts that always suffer first in funding cuts. However, Britain is doing a lot better than it used to – we are now almost as passionate as the French for the arts. The BBC does a great job in bringing the arts into our lives.”
Keen to concentrate on the college and its success, Ms Bussell did not want to talk Strictly, which has again been a rating winner for the BBC thanks in large part to the antics of former shadow chancellor Ed Balls.
However, she did admit she was looking forward to going to Blackpool, adding: “For the professional dancers, in particular, Blackpool is the home of ballroom. And when you get there and stand in the ballroom, you get, it – you really get it.”
Poppy, 17, said: “She really is a role model for all dancers. Strictly is something that people of all generations can watch. I love it and I know the boarders watch it in college.”
Head at the college, Mr Brendan Wignall, said: “It’s really important that all of the hard work from staff and pupils is recognised.
“A school that just focuses on the academic side is only half a school.
“We already have a reputation for our sports prowess and we have felt for some time now that Ellesmere’s provision across all the arts – dance, drama, music, creative writing, and visual art – has been of the very highest quality.
“To have this affirmed by Arts Council England is a very proud moment for the college.”
Ms Bussell was doing a tour of schools as she made her way north to Blackpool, also taking time out to visit pupils at The Hammond School in Chester as they took part in a dance class.
Speaking earlier this week, she spoke of the importance of Strictly in inspiring a new generation of dancers.
She said the professional dancers on Strictly are great teachers, who display huge skill in their own dancing and prove how that expertise can be transferred to a novice.
She said: “I just look at them as great teachers.
“Out of the girls in this series, I think Natalie would be a great coach. I’d love to work with her and maybe Oti.
“Out of the men, I think Alijaz is very caring and reads you well.”
The 14th series of Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One tonight.
Seven couples have boarded the bus to Blackpool and will dance in the famous Tower Ballroom.
Crews have spent all week getting the Ballroom ready for the live show tonight.
Sunday’s vote-off show will also be recorded tonight, although all those taking part are sworn to secrecy about who is eliminated until after the show is screened.
Last week Daisy and Aljaz left after eight weeks in the competition.
Danny and Oti topped the leaderboard scoring 38 points with their Argentine Tango, the second week running that dance has won the top spot
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