Why Ashley’s in with a cha cha chance...
Star’s jive lights up Blackpool ballroom
ASHLEY Roberts was destined to be top of the Strictly leaderboard, says her childhood dance teacher.
Our exclusive pictures show her as a schoolgirl, dolled up for dance lessons in lime green, beaming to the camera.
And the ex-pussycat Doll, 37, favourite to win, always had “star quality”, old teacher Kevin Bender insisted.
Kevin, 52, taught her “all different styles of dance” from the age of eight to 16. She also had an introduction to ballroom training at an elite dance company for a summer school.
He said: “The thing I remember most about Ashley was her energy and that bubbly personality. “When I look at some of the routines she has done on the show, I can still see that little eight-year-old girl and that smile and same brightness in her eyes.” Kevin recalled Ashley would perform at every opportunity – and remembers bumping into the family on holiday and seeing Ashley working on her moves. He said: “She’d be on the beach twirling and doing her thing. You knew from the beginning that sparkling star was there.” Kevin taught Ashley at the Betty Johnson School of Dance in Phoenix, US. He said: “We taught a lot of diversity in styles of dance – they all had to take tap and ballet
as the foundation. I like to think she got some of that training here – that diversity of styles.
“What I really remember most with her is her strong jazz and high energy.
“As a young teenager she really had that ability to take control of the stage and have the audience draw their attention to her. She had star quality even then. Every eye drawn to her.”
And she was so determined, she made it into a special elite group.
“Those kids train from 12 to 16 hours a week and are very committed.”
Ashley’s memories are a bit hazier as she has admitted she has a wealth of experience “booty popping” but that ballroom was alien to her.
She said: “‘I’m excited to learn a new style of dance. The Latin and ballroom world is foreign to me.”
The singer also had a one-to-one masterclass with a Dancing With The Stars’ professional for a US TV show. Ashley has impressed on Strictly since her first live performance with partner Pasha Kovalev, 38. Kevin was amazed by her dance last Saturday – a tribute to her dad Pat. A drummer for The Mamas and The Papas, he killed himself in March aged 69 after battling mental health issues. Kevin said: “Technical skills can be taught but to show that emotional connection is very special. I think she has a great chance at winning.” Ashley was unavailable to comment but a source said: “She has always been open about her dancing experience.” Last week Ashley said: “My father was a musician. I was young when I realised I loved performing.”