Presenter and Strictly star Angela Rippon surprises Silver Swan dancers at Royal Academy of Dance

A Thatcham dance instructor said it was a delight to see her dancers having the time of their life at the Royal Academy of Dance in London.

Sonia Brown – of Dance with Sonia Brown – and randomly selected dancers from her classes were invited to the Silver Swans Celebration in aid of the UN’s International Day of Older Persons.

The 10 dancers – all over 50-years-old – enjoyed workshops and a gala performance along with 23 other groups from across the country.

Miss Brown’s Silver Swans performed choreography to Piano Man by Billy Joel but the cherry on the cake, she says, was a surprise visit from newsreader, presenter and more-recently Strictly Come Dancing star Angela Rippon.

“The whole day was joyous,” Miss Brown said.

“It was a delight seeing my dancers having the time of their lives, and the day itself oozed with positivity, inclusivity, patience, friendship and kindness, and this exactly what Silver Swans is all about.

“I am so grateful for both the CEO of the RAD and our ambassador Angela Rippon for attending and spending a good amount of time with the dancers as it made the day ever more special.

“In a society that carries a stigma regarding dance and age, their attendance on our special Silver Swans Celebration day gave the over 50s dance sector the value, respect and attention it’s long awaited.

“It was fantastic.”

Some of the dancers learned the white swan solo from Swan Lake which they said “worked their arms hard”.

Others learnt a tambourine dance from Esmeralda.

One Silver Swan said she was left shocked and in awe when Mrs Rippon visited the group during the gala interval, stopped for a chat and put her arms on her shoulders.

“Everybody flocked around her,” said 74-year-old Janet Garmston.

“She was so nice, everybody was just looking at her, she looked really classy.

“She talked about when she was on Strictly Come Dancing and she said she was so nervous.

“She put me at ease, it was like a dream.”

Mrs Garmston said the day was lovely and she enjoyed performing in front of the London crowd at the gala.

“It’s something you think, at this age, would never happen.

“The day that we were dancing, we were stood behind the curtain.

“The lights were so bright.

“I can’t even remember the dance, it was over and done with so quickly.

“It was a lovely day.”