Two reigning British ballroom dancers signed off from their competitive class with a stunning and graceful display.

Scott Horne and Claudia Lewthwaite glided across the Villa Marina dance floor at the Isle of Man Dance Teachers’ Association ballroom competition, giving the packed audience a reminder of their skills that have brought them national success over the years.

Along with the rest of the juvenile teams, consisting of dancers aged 12 and under and junior dance teams, featuring couples aged under 16, the pair were taking part in a showcase of talent during the competition, to make up for not being able to travel and take part in the UK national championships in Blackpool earlier this year.

Instead, both teams, consisting of five couples each, performed in the interval of the competition.

Now aged 16, this would have been the last year that Scott and Claudia were able to compete in the junior championships and they retire from the class with an impressive list of titles and achievements, including being both the British Modern and Sequence champions, the current All-England and All-Ireland champions and also the champions of the South of England, the UK , Superdance and Classique d’dance for 2019.

Their previous awards include being the British Juvenile sequence dance champions in 2016.

Jackie Hamblett, the compere for the evening and secretary for the Isle of Man Dance Teachers’ Association, said that the event was a great success and the crowd enjoyed watching the champion’s display.

’Since the lockdown, there have been no ballroom dancing competitions at all across the country and, in fact, our event is the only ballroom event to have taken place across the whole of the UK,’ said Jackie.

’Although it was our normal competition, we decided to allow the teams to come on and perform to make up for not getting to the Winter Gardens in Blackpool earlier this year.

’All the couples who took part danced wonderfully, especially as most them are children and they wouldn’t have had the chance to dance in public over the past eight months.

’It was a very well-attended event too.

’The crowd were very enthusiastic all the way through with plenty of clapping and cheering.

’There was a great energy and a wonderful vibe to the whole event.’

Both the juvenile and junior dance teams were presented with their Blackpool UK championship medals by Dr Alex Allinson, the Minister for the Department of Education, Sport and Culture.