Riverdance star Morgan is not surprised at allegations

RIVERDANCE star and TikTok sensation Morgan Bullock has said she is not surprised at the damning allegations of cheating and fixing that have engulfed the Irish dancing world.

Ms Bullock told the Irish Mail on Sunday she has ‘always heard rumours of cheating while I was competing’.

But the dancer from Viriginia in the US, now based in Dublin, said she hopes the scandal will not ‘permanently tarnish the sport I love so much’.

‘Irish dance has so many positives to offer its participants and I have had great experiences,’ she said.

‘But I do not deny having always heard rumours of cheating while I was competing.

I have had no negative effects from it, thankfully.’

Ms Bullock went viral on TikTok in 2020 after she posted videos of her hard-shoe dancing to hip-hop songs. She also made Riverdance history by becoming the first black performer in the show.

Meanwhile, the cheating allegations that emerged this week have sparked huge anger amongst families and competitors.

Many spoke out about the huge costs involved for the families of children taking part in dance competitions.

One teacher, who wished to remain dress code: Outfits are often replaced on an annual basis anonymous, told the MoS it is ‘one of the most expensive’ activities you can introduce your child to, with some parents paying tens of thousands of euros a year.

The Dublin-based teacher said that for dancers that compete at the top level, dresses cost from €800 to €4,000 and it is common to buy a new one every year.

Wigs and hard shoes can each cost up to €200 while soft shoes are €80. On top of that, parents pay for spray tans, sock glue, private dance lessons and flights and hotels if a competition is abroad. Entry fees can be up to €40 and high-level competitors can dance once or twice on almost every weekend of the year.

And, as the teacher pointed out: ‘You have to realise – there is no money at stake for these competitions. All you get is a trophy and a sash.

‘People say that dance schools can charge more once you have world champion dancers, but I don’t understand why would you want to take away that thrill you get when your dancer has earned it and you got them there through hard work and determination?

‘I am sure many parents will feel like all this money they have spent has been wasted.

‘It [cheating] has been going on for more than 50 years now but the proof just wasn’t there.

‘There is a very small percentage who are responsible for fixing, but it comes right from the top. It’s the big names.’