The Daily Telegraph - Saturday
I always wanted to dance, Queen tells Strictly star
THE Queen has revealed that she had “always wanted to tap dance” as she told Strictly Come Dancing star Johannes Radebe she may yet take up the hobby.
Her Majesty, who described herself as “Strictly’s biggest fan”, was presented with a special pair of bronze tap shoes by the champion dancer.
The Queen, 76, president of the Royal Voluntary Service, was visiting Meadows Community Centre in Arbury, Cambridge – her fourth official engagement in four days.
Feeling inspired after watching a beginners “tap and the cha-cha-cha” class, she told Mr Radebe of her love of dancing and promised to use her new shoes.
“I’d love to do it because I have always wanted to tap dance,” she said. “In my dotage it’s perhaps something I could take up.”
The dancer, known as Jojo, promised to give the Queen a private lesson.
“I will be there. I will be there. I’ll come. Definitely,” he told her.
In December 2020, the Queen, then Duchess of Cornwall, made a surprise appearance during the Strictly final, telling the competitors: “I think it’s just lifted our spirits, it’s lifted the whole country’s spirits.
“I’m very excited, I know who I’ll be voting for.”
In April 2022, she revealed she had voted for champion Rose Ayling-Ellis when she won the show the previous year, telling the actress that her grandchildren were also fans.
Camilla revealed during lockdown in 2020 that she had been taking private “Silver Swan” ballet lessons with three of her “ancient friends”.
She said the weekly sessions had worked wonders for her posture, confidence and discipline, as well as making her “very happy”.
Yesterday, the Queen toured the Royal Voluntary Service community centre’s facilities, including the dance studio and café run by volunteers, to highlight the charity’s work in supporting the health and well-being of communities.
After watching the dance class hosted by Mr Radebe, a Royal Voluntary Service supporter, and Tasha Ghouri, a former Love Island contestant, she unveiled a plaque to mark her visit.