A decade on, Diversity’s Ashley Banjo still loves to dance

ASHLEY BANJO still finds it hard to believe how much of an impact Diversity has had on the mainstream since finding fame nearly 10 years ago.

The leader of the street dance troupe has rarely been out of the spotlight since the group won Britain’s Got Talent in 2009, pushing Susan Boyle into second place.

Sold-out arena tours, primetime TV shows, presenting roles – and now, for Ashley, working with the Disney On Ice team to get youngsters fit ahead of its Passport To Adventure shows in Glasgow next week.

“I didn’t think beyond Britain’s Got Talent. In fact, I didn’t even think we would win,” admitted 28-year-old Ashley.

“Since then we’ve just taken it as it comes and thankfully we’re still doing what we love.

“We’ve been doing this for nearly 10 years, meaning some of the kids we work with today weren’t born when we won BGT, yet they still seem to know us.

“They’ve never known us not to be in the mainstream, which for a dance act is unheard of.

“To sell out a tour and perform to thousands of people every night, without any singing or acting involved, is amazing and, hopefully, it can not only continue for us but we have maybe laid the pathway for other dancing groups, too.”

When it comes to inspiration a for their spectacular dance routines, Ashley doesn’t have an off switch.

“I’m always thinking about it – in the car, in bed, and ideas come at the most random times,” he smiled.

“It’s what I’ve always done – life is work and work is life.”

Diversity’s spectacular routines have inspired thousands of kids to take up the activity and that’s something the members are serious about cultivating.

They regularly run their own dance initiatives as well as Ashley’s work with the Disney On Ice team.

He was in Scotland recently with the Fit To Dance initiative, where he and members of the Disney On Ice cast put youngsters through their paces.

“When I was approached to get involved I thought it made sense, as getting people fir through dance is something we’re really intent on, we’re making it one of our missions over the next few years.

“You always hear stories about obesity, so it’s good to have a positive story.

“All the technology we have these days is great, but it’s good to get kids away from that at times because nothing beats socialising and being active.”

The Disney On Ice initiative encourages kids to create their own stories and dance routines using their favourite characters and goes around schools across the country.

Audiences can also enjoy the Fit To Dance programme during the pre-show segment, Zootropolis, in the current Disney On Ice tour, which comes to the Braehead Arena next week.

Stacy Craik is one of the performers on Disney On Ice and is also involved in Fit To Dance.

Originally from Falkirk, this is the 25-year-old ensemble dancer’s third year with Disney On Ice.

“I remember seeing skating on TV and that was me hooked,” she smiled. “I started when I was eight, which is a little later than a lot of skaters, but I’ve loved it ever since.

“My mum used to take me to the old ice rink in Stirling, and then Murrayfield and The Time Capsule in Coatbridge.

“The Disney On Ice opportunity came about after I got chatting to one of the ex-performers at my local rink. I auditioned in Glasgow and was taken on.

“That was also where my first show was, which was nice and handy, but it was also quite scary because my family was in the audience. It was the first time my dad had ever seen me skate.

“Since then I’ve been lots of places with the show. France, Spain, South Africa – which was amazing – and the west coast of America, which was my first time in the country. Next summer we are going to Dubai, Italy and Qatar, which will be great.”

But there’s no place quite like home and Stacy can’t wait to perform in front of her family, friends and a Scottish audience once again.

And this time, thanks to Fit To Dance, they’ll even get to join in.

Disney On Ice Passport To Adventure, Braehead Arena, Glasgow, Sept 22 – Oct 1