JIVE TALKING

12 March 2007

If you're going to learn to jive, you may as well do it properly, and who better to teach the students than dance champions Darren and Lilia?

It was another late night in the Academy last night, but despite their lack of sleep the students were still up and raring to go in the dance studio this morning.

"I'm going to bring in some experts..." Choreographer Kevin suddenly announced mid-workout. "Darren and Lilia from Strictly Come Dancing!"

Before the celebrity students even had time to get excited, Darren and Lilia burst through the doors and launched straight in to an incredible jive routine.

The students managed to clap along as they looked on in awe and disbelief at the speed of the dance steps. Colin was so stunned at the amazing moves he could only stand with his hand over his mouth, while Ray was frozen as he stared at the fancy footwork.

All jived out, a slightly breathless Darren said: "You're doing really well and you've raised so much money for Comic Relief, but we're here today to do something slightly different. We're gonna pair you up and you're gonna do some of these moves."

"Great!" Tara screeched, summing up the group's excitement.

Tara and Fred, Tricia and Colin and Angellica and Shaun teamed up, leaving Ray to pair up with teacher Kevin. What a lovely couple.

And after learning a few basic steps, the students were able to work on a paired routine. "Hey! We're good!" Kevin cheered as he jived with Ray, "C'mon Ray!"

Wow, what an energetic start to the day!