My STRICTLY family
MOTHER AND SON take to the floor in a new dance documentary
NEW DANCE
The Secret Life of the Ballroom
Sunday, W HD, 8pm
WHEN NURSERY TEACHER Roberta Woodhouse took up ballroom dancing a few years ago, she didn’t have to look far for a dance partner.
‘I used to bribe my 18-year-old son Harry every week with £5 to come and dance with me,’ says Roberta, 44, from Brighton, who takes to the floor with Harry in
The Secret Life of the Ballroom.
The six-part documentary series follows five couples over three months as they compete on the tough ballroom and Latin dancing circuit for the very first time. In the process, they must master six routines including the samba, jive and, first up this week, the quickstep.
‘I’ve never been so terrified; it was worse than going into labour,’ says Roberta of the pair’s first competitive performance. ‘I just wanted to do my best and not let Harry down. Luckily, he doesn’t get nervous at all; he managed to guide me around the dance floor and, somehow, I managed to follow him. I think I did alright.’
STEPPING OUT
Since taking part in the series, Roberta admits she’s been well and truly bitten by the dancing bug. ‘After our last competitive dance, Harry hung up his dancing shoes and hasn’t danced since,’ says Roberta.
‘However, I’ve started competing with a new partner and I’m dancing at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens in November. But I do miss dancing with Harry – it’s a lovely feeling to be waltzed around by your son.’