I joined the Joanne Banks Dancers on the very first day it began in Rosa Street Chapel and it soon became my life. When I wasn’t attending a class for dancing and singing, I was assistant teacher to Joanne, so JBD literally filled every hour that I wasn’t in school.

Being part of the JBD’s was a total pleasure and the family I had (not just that Jo is my cousin) but the family of JBD friends I had around me, made it some of the most happiest times of my life.

Dancing was just one part of being a JBD-er I remember things like the fashion shows we used to do and the trips to London. It wasn’t just a dance school, it was a way of life!

As part of my career JBD’s gave me the skills I needed to achieve many fabulous things; from travelling the world, to performing in amazing venues and now to live television.

Being part of the JBD’s gave me the confidence to believe that anything was possible and that has to be the most important lesson I learnt. I have applied it in both my personal and professional life to great effect and for that I am hugely grateful to Jo and the JBD’s.