Glasgow Times

Joe in a spin at former school

- By CATRIONA STEWART

STRICTLY Come Dancing star Joe McFadden wowed pupils at his former school when he turned up with show partner Katya Jones.

The Holby city star had pupils and teachers in a spin over his visit back to Holyrood Secondary.

He and Katya performed the Pasodoble that impressed judges in Blackpool on last week’s show.

And they gave youngsters a sneak peak of the performanc­e to come on the hit BBC programme this weekend.

Joe was taken on a trip down memory lane with a tour of the school and then a showing of a video of himself in school show My Fair Lady.

Margaret Leyden, deputy head teacher, was thrilled to see her former pupil.

She said: “I was a Geography teacher but we all mucked in for school shows so while I didn’t teach Joe I do remember him very well.

“You could tell he was going to be a star – he was a very bright wee boy and talented too.

“The dance went down a storm with pupils and I think his performanc­e here was better than the one i n Blackpool.

“Any bit of the performanc­e with the wow-factor got a huge response from pupils.”

Joe and Katya performed for the sixth year assembly – but some excited first years were also allowed to sneak into the hall and watch the fun unfold.

Generous Joe also took the time to film a video for a pupil who is holding a Strictly-themed fundraiser for a trip to Malawi.

Margaret now can’t wait to see Holyrood feature on Strictly in a clip of Joe’s visit to the school.

Margaret added: “It was a great morale boost for the school. The pupils were so excited we had to sneak him in and out again.

“He spoke so highly of his days at Holyrood and was just so gregarious and grounded.

“It really gave everyone a lift.”

 ??  ?? Joe and Katya in the school drama room during their visit
Joe and Katya in the school drama room during their visit

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