Strictly Come Dancing

If you missed our performance on Strictly Come Dancing on Sunday, watch it here! 10 Candoco dancers performed with 13 Strictly Pros in a powerful piece choreographed by Arlene Phillips, Jason Gilkison and Trent Whiddon.

Set to Life on Mars by David Bowie and featuring a fusion of contemporary and ballroom styles, it is truly something that had never been seen before in Strictly’s history.

As choreographer, Arlene had already worked with two of our dancers to create the duet You and I Know and holds a dual understanding of our own practice and that of the ‘Strictly world’.

When I was asked by Candoco if I would be interested in working with the company on a project linking them together with some of the series-regular professionals in a unique piece, I was instantly intrigued. Admiring the Candoco artists and BBC Pros as I do, I quickly said yes, but soon realised it was going to be quite a complex undertaking.

Arlene Phillips

The more we get disability into mainstream view the more readily acceptable it is and the more you can combat the misconceptions and abuses that every day disabled people are facing.

Rick Rodgers, former Candoco Dancer

Candoco dancer, Megan Armishaw, unfortunately became injured for the final performance. We’d like to thank Iris Chan for stepping in very last minute and for Megan’s contribution to the making of the piece.