Ian turned professional in 1997 and decided to take his career a step further by moving to the Netherlands. In that period he formed a partnership with Natalia Panina with whom he won the Dutch Championships, and reached finals on large championships. After five years in the Netherlands, Ian started to feel homesick and missed his family and friends. He decided to leave and go back to his hometown in Reading.
It was then when he first saw Strictly Come Dancing and thought to himself “I ought to be on that show”. So it happened that in 2004 Ian joined the Strictly family. Information on Ian and his Strictly career can be found here. In that same year Ian partnered up with Camilla Dallerup.
Their first competition was the International Championships at the Royal Albert Hall, where they made the semi final and in November of that year, they made the final of the British National Dance Championships. Currently Ian and Camilla are giving showcases all over the UK dazzling their audiences.
Besides being a professional dancer, Ian teaches as well. Ian has always been trained very dedicated and this gave him the inspiration to pass on his knowledge and experience to others. Ian has trained people on many levels from pro’s to beginners, from athletes to tomboys.
Besides being a professional dancer, Ian teaches as well. Ian has always been trained very dedicated and this gave him the inspiration to pass on his knowledge and experience to others. Ian has trained people on many levels from pro’s to beginners, from athletes to tomboys.
Over the last ten years Ian has choreographed different routines for a variety of events. One of them was the DVD “Magic of Dance” together with Camilla. He also choreographed the performance of “Downtown” by Emma Bunton for the 2006 Children in Need and the The Big Finish presented by Graham Norton in 2007.
It was also in that year that Ian appeared on Jim’ll Fix It Strikes Again. One of our very own Angels got the change of a lifetime to dance with Ian. Or Ian was very lucky to dance with her... Anyway, they both had a great day, and up to this day they have a special bond. If you want to see the clip of our Angel dancing with Ian, click here.
Strictly Come Dancing has made Ian famous all over the UK and abroad. As a result of this he has made appearances in several television shows such as “BBC Breakfast”, “Celebrity Who wants to be a millionaire”, “Happy birthday Brucie” and “Ready Steady Cook”. Besides that Ian has been a guest on several radio shows by BBC Berkshire.
It was also in that year that Ian appeared on Jim’ll Fix It Strikes Again. One of our very own Angels got the change of a lifetime to dance with Ian. Or Ian was very lucky to dance with her... Anyway, they both had a great day, and up to this day they have a special bond. If you want to see the clip of our Angel dancing with Ian, click here.
Strictly Come Dancing has made Ian famous all over the UK and abroad. As a result of this he has made appearances in several television shows such as “BBC Breakfast”, “Celebrity Who wants to be a millionaire”, “Happy birthday Brucie” and “Ready Steady Cook”. Besides that Ian has been a guest on several radio shows by BBC Berkshire.
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We all know Ian has his heart at the right place. It is therefore no wonder he is giving his support to charity. With Camilla they often dance at charity events, or give master classes in order to raise money. Ian is the ambassador for Beatbullying and a Founder Celebrity Patron for Wellchild.
In 2009 Camilla quit SCD and Ian got paired with Australian dancer Natalie Lowe. Natalie & Ian brought each other to new levels and their partnership is a ‘match made in heaven’. During the Strictly Tour and later the Pro Tour they showed show stopping performances. Everyone thought since this partnership was so good that both of them would be asked back to compete in SCD 2010. Unfortunately this year Ian will not be competing in the show. He is however participating in the ’Strictly Showdancetroup’. A group of 6 dancers (including Darren Bennett). In the ‘Strictly Showdancetroup Ian is dancing with Aneta Piotrowska whom has won ‘Dancing with the Stars’ in Poland in 2006.
His time off SCD gives Ian the opportunity to teach more and pick up on some other hobbies he has. So keep your eyes open you might see Ian next year at Wimbledon! ;)
His time off SCD gives Ian the opportunity to teach more and pick up on some other hobbies he has. So keep your eyes open you might see Ian next year at Wimbledon! ;)
