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Public support sees Rebecca
through another week
SUPPORTERS of rising dance star, Rebecca Leonard, breathed a sigh
of relief this week when the Lisburn girl made it through, once
again, to the next round of BBC's Strictly Dance Fever.
After a tense show on Saturday night, Rebecca was relieved to
have the support of the public, after a disappointing response from
the judges.
Even though Rebecca and her dance partner Adam were at the bottom
of the leader board after the judges' decision, the pair won the
hearts of the public and went through to the next round, which just
goes to prove how important local support is for the dancing duo.
Rebecca admitted to the Ulster Star last week that she was very
nervous about Saturday night's Lambada, but the pair's dance coaches
did all they could to loosen her up - even sending her off to pole
dancing lessons!
Rebecca's mother, Irene, said she was delighted with the support
Rebecca had received and has thanked everyone in Lisburn who has
picked up the phone and voted to help keep her daughter's life-long
dream alive.
As a special treat this week Rebecca had a surprise visit from
her grandmother, who was flown over to visit the London mansion
where the dancers have been living for the last four weeks.
The surprise visit was organised by the BBC to commemorate VE
Day. The grandparents were treated to a showcase of talent, with the
housemates performing dances from the 1940's, before they all
enjoyed high tea together and Rebecca and the other contestants bid
their visitors a fond farewell.
Speaking exclusively to the Star this week, Rebecca spoke of her
relief at making it through another week, her concerns for this
Saturday's competition and expressed her thanks to everyone who has
supported her.
"I am very relieved that I am here, so thank you to everyone who
voted for us again" she said.
"We struggled with the Lambada last week. We knew it wasn't going
to be our best performance and when we watched it back it wasn't,
but given that we had a really hard week at least we did get a
routine out, which is something.
"We had a go at pole dancing last week as well, which was funny.
I am a bit prudish when it comes to things like that and there was a
few of us who were a bit put off by it but it's a fun thing. It did
help us to get into the concept of the Lambada but I don't thing
it's something that I will be looking into in the future!
"This week we have got the Foxtrot and it is a bit of a
nightmare.
"To be honest rehearsals are pretty awful and it's one of the
hardest ballroom dances. For beginners to learn it in a week is
really difficult.
"We just have to try the best we can but, particularly on Monday,
we were at the point where we just didn't know how to do it.
"I have never done ballroom dancing before and don't know
anything about it. "The other dances are the Lindy Hop and Jitterbug
and for everybody watching at home they are going to be more
glamorous and exciting than the Foxtrot.
"As each week goes on there is more and more pressure. Last week
we did a group routine that was just thrown at us. "Everyday in here
there is something to do, for example last night Alex and Katy came
back, the night before we had a karaoke competition and we also went
to HMS Belfast to perform for the veterans. This week the pressure
is really on.
"Even though everyone says we get a week to learn a dance you
don't get a full week because you don't have all day every day.
"Having said that, I am still loving it here, it's all really
brilliant and I just hope that everyone keeps voting for us so that
we can stay another week."
VOTE, VOTE, VOTE
YOU can vote all week for Adam and Rebecca by
calling 0901 121 4003 or by texting 'Vote 3' to 63633.
Calls cost 25p with at least 12p going to Comic Relief
and texts cost 25p plus standard message rate, I 1p goes
to Comic Relief. Remember, unlike the May 5 elections,
you can vote as often as you like!
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Strictly
Dance Fever grips Wallace High
school
REBECCA'S former teachers at Wallace High School have
been glued to their television sets for the last few
Saturday nights watching the school prot�g�
make a name for herself.
Ms. Deborah Wallace who taught the dancer Home
Economics at A-Level said the whole school - teachers,
staff and pupils - were very proud of her achievement
and were giving their full support every week.
Recalling memories of Rebecca and speaking of the
contribution she made to the school, Ms Wallace said:
"Rebecca was a great girl. She was very enthusiastic and
got involved with everything at school.
"She was always into her dance and even though she
has left school she still comes back to assist with
various dance and drama related events.
"She recently helped with productions in the Prep
Department and she has choreographed the sixth form
Christmas production.
"She keeps coming back to encourage young people in
school to dance.
"Every Monday morning the staff have great chats
about the show and everybody has been phoning in to
vote.
"The pupils have been supporting her as well and one
pupil said she had voted 20 times for Rebecca!
"It is only right that we should support her after
all the support she has given the school over the years.
"I would encourage everyone to vote for Rebecca,
after all this is a great thing, not just for Rebecca,
the school and Lisburn but for the whole of Northern
Ireland."
Wallace is so full of 'Strictly Dance Fever', they
even held their own competition this week to raise money
for charity.
The school's Strictly Dance Fever competition also
included Rebecca's own dance class who entertained the
audience during the contest.
Speaking exclusively to the Ulster Star from London
this week Rebecca was told of the competition and was
delighted that her old school was supporting her.
She also joked: "I hope the dance class does well
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