'Strictly Come Dancing' Star Tangos with Staff from University of Greenwich at Medway
Ballroom dancing champion Erin Boag hot-footed it to Medway recently to visit the University of Greenwich. The winner of BBC TV’s Christmas “Strictly Come Dancing” attended the annual staff meeting and party of the School of Science, as the guest of its head, Dr John Newbery, who is a personal friend and keen amateur dancer.
Over 50 university staff took to the floor for a special competition, where Erin taught them to tango. John Newbery explains: “Erin devised a session that built on her experience of training days with clients such as Virgin Money, BT and Coutts. Her key objectives were built around the idea that it takes two to tango. She showed us that building a team requires effort, but the returns make it worthwhile. We certainly found out why Erin has acquired the television nickname of 'Miss Whiplash' for her tough no-nonsense approach. As well being very serious in her purpose, she made the sessions fun and staff found it a challenge to grapple with something very different from their normal day at the university.”
Erin awarded the prize for “Best Overall Couple” to receptionist Marilyn Croucher and Pro Vice-Chancellor John Humphreys. He paid tribute to his partner’s dancing skills, describing her as “fleet-footed and elegant”. Erin said: “Taken as a whole, you scientists are the quickest group to pick up tango that I have taught.”
New Zealand-born Erin Boag, won the “Strictly Come Dancing” Christmas Day special with her partner, former Olympic hurdler Colin Jackson, scoring four perfect tens from the picky panel of judges. She has also partnered entertainer Julian Clary and footballer Peter Schmeichel on the show, where celebrities are matched with professional dancers and learn to compete to a very high standard in just a few weeks.
The School of Science offers a wide range of courses for undergraduates and postgraduates on the University of Greenwich at Medway campus at Chatham Maritime. For a free prospectus, or to find out more, call freephone 0800 005 006 or e-mail: courseinfo@greenwich.ac.uk or see: www.gre.ac.uk.
ENDS
For more information contact:
Caron Jones
Public Relations
University of Greenwich
020 8331 8248