I’M PROUD TO BE A BALLROOM BOY
Having already appeared on Strictly, dance champion Mason Bevan reveals how he plans to waltz his way to the top in a new TV documentary this week
everything from his posture to his Viennese Waltz at the Dance Crazy Studio in Pontypridd.
Training for 16 hours a week after school Monday through to Friday and competing on a Sunday, the studio has become Mason’s second home. “I sometimes practise on a Saturday too. I love dancing and have made some great friends. My favourite dance to perform is the jive because it showcases my personality and I can add my own flair to it.”
The one part of ballroom that he isn’t so keen on is wearing fake tan and make-up.
“I don’t like fake tan because it’s so sticky but luckily I only have to wear it for the bigger events such as Blackpool,” says Mason, who admits he still gets nervous before a big competition.
Luckily mum Marsha, 43, and dad Gareth are on hand to offer him lots of support and words of encouragement.
The family have had to kiss their weekends goodbye because of the demanding competition schedule that sees them chauffeuring Mason the length and breadth of the country. “We travel all over from Glasgow to Blackpool,” says Gareth, who manages a local engineering firm. “Mason has committed to this and we have got to support him. We know how much work he puts into it.”
While some might assume that Gareth would prefer his son to follow a more traditional pastime such as rugby, he says the opposite is true.
“Dancing is giving Mason a great skill set. We have watched him blossom into a dedicated young boy, who knows he has to work hard to achieve anything in life.
“It has boosted his confidence, keeps him physically fit and has taught him how to talk to people from all over the world and all walks of life.
“But most of all it has taught him the importance of picking yourself up after being knocked down.”
Despite his countless wins Mason admits that performing on Strictly Come Dancing was a personal highlight.
He was one of a few hand-picked guests invited to perform in this year’s opening dance sequence alongside the show’s star-spangled judging panel, professional dancers and presenters Tess Claudia Winkleman.
After two days of rehearsals and fittings Mason expertly twirled his partner around the dancefloor in a flawless performance, which would have scored him a perfect 10.
HDaly and E ENTHUSES: “I love the show. It was an amazing experience. I got to appear in a show dance alongside judges Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood. I also got to meet all of them as well as contestant Danny Mac, who was really nice.”
Gareth, who was in the audience alongside Marsha, was bowled over by the reception his son received.
“The professional dancers were very kind, especially Giovanni Pernice, who spent time with us all,” says Gareth. “They posed for pictures with the children and signed autographs after rehearsals. Anton du Beke was extremely funny and spent a lot of time making the kids laugh.”
With the highs come the lows and even the dedicated Mason admits that like his brother before him he has been on the receiving end of name-calling in the school playground.
Says Gareth: “A few years ago there were a couple of individuals who were making unkind comments to Mason.
“But as soon as we found out about it we told the school and they dealt with it brilliantly.
“They delivered an anti-bullying talk to the whole school and that was the end of the matter.”
Mason is equally philosophical. “If other children make comments about me I just ignore them but it doesn’t happen that much now,” he says.
In fact Mason’s peers are so impressed by his achievements that they voted him sports person of the year last year. That’s no easy feat considering the area’s strong links with rugby.
So how long does himself dancing for?
“For the rest of my life,” he says without a moment’s hesitation. Mason see The Ballroom Boys will air on December 29 at 7pm on Channel 4