US television’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’ All Access judge Gary Edwards is back in Essex campaigning to get Britain dancing! After my exclusive interview with Gary in December 2016, it is great to catch-up and see what he is currently up to.

Dubbed the ‘Ballroom Giant’ because of his 6ft 4 inches frame, Gary, who was tipped to take over from Len Goodman on Strictly Come Dancing last year, spends his time between his home in Miami Beach, Florida, and his home in Leigh in Essex.

Now determined to promote dancing in the UK, one of his first stops is as a VIP guest at ProAm Champions Premier Event in Brentwood on Sunday 10th June when he will hand out the prizes to the competitors whilst talent scouting.

The prestigious event, which takes place at Brentwood International Centre, has been created to provide a stream of competitors and competitions in the UK. The events allow professional dancers either competing or non-competing to dance with amateur dancers either registered or non-registered.

Gary explains: “Events like Pro Am Champions are really vital to give amateurs and professionals the chance to compete and improve their skills. ProAm Champions Ltd host events for all ages which take place in the UK and overseas. I am looking forward to Sunday’s event and will be looking out for the stars of the future.

Gary is certainly well placed to judge. Dancing since the age of seven when his mother encouraged him to take his first steps, he has won over 30 international dancing titles, including the British Open Ballroom and the British Open Latin and is one of the most qualified dance judges in the world having judged 47 World Championships.

Gary recently revealed that he taught the King of Pop Michael Jackson the Cha-Cha-Cha when he was working for the Royal Family of Brunei. He has also given lessons to soul legend Barry White, Whitney Houston and MC Hammer.

He said: “It was the most awesome experience of my life teaching Michael and I will never forget it. He just lit up the room and picked the steps up so quickly it was amazing. I played Billy Jean and within a few minutes he was putting his own twist to the moves!

“I am back in the UK campaigning to get Britain dancing and have enlisted the Arthur Murray Dance Studios to help me promote the benefits of dancing. They are the leading dance brand in the world and have 260 studios in 22 countries, including 3 in the London area.”

Dance is a great way to stay fit for people of all ages, shapes and sizes. It has so many physical and mental benefits. It can improve the condition of your heart and lungs, increase muscular strength, and improve bone strength including reducing the risk of osteoporosis.

Over the next 8 months, I will be travelling all over the UK to show the public at large not only the joys of dance but also the benefits to health that dancing can bring.”