How we faced the music and danced... to the top

Anthony Birchall and Mandy Thompson: World Champions

YOU’RE never too old to dance, thought Anthony Birchall 20 years ago — and he’s been proved right at the age of 53 with a world number one ranking to his name.

Anthony and his partner Mandy Thompson (50), from Moorside, have danced competitively for 12 years. Their recent excellent run of form has seen them push their way to the top of the international rankings.

Anthony said: “We won the inaugural WDC European Senior 2 Latin Championships held at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. After that we won the UK Closed Senior 2 Latin Championships in Bournemouth before we travelled to Paris for the WDC World Senior 2 Latin Championships at the beginning of December.”

The couple came fourth in that competition and cemented their status as the world number one Senior 2 category, for the over-45s.

“Both Mandy and I started dancing later in life — even though it’s just a hobby we really enjoy it.”

Anthony was first introduced to dancing after being dragged to a jive class. Impressed with how much he enjoyed it, he carried on and eight years later met Mandy at a salsa club.

“Dancing suddenly gave me an avenue where I could compete and succeed and also really enjoy what I was doing,” he said

The couple are keen to get back on the dance floor in the new year: “Our next competition will be a local one in Stockport - but everything we do at the beginning of next year will be geared towards preparation for the big competitions. We’re aiming to retain our titles.”