Yvonne School of Dance Win Barclays Live Norwich

Nine tap dancers from Yvonne School of Dance have been crowned Norwich dance champions after picking up over 40,000 votes in an intense public vote online.

Nationwide dance competition Barclays Live took place in Norwich on 26 February at the Forum. Despite the wet weather, a large crowd gathered to watch the ten local acts chosen to battle it out for the title and £1,000 prize. Yvonne School of Dance, based in Hethersett, bucked the trend of street dance acts that have so far dominated the competition by delivering a retro tap dance performance that beat off tough competition in the form of street dance troupe Dem Bratz and the current world junior ballroom dance champions Luke and Hanna.

Speaking after hearing that they’d won, Yvonne Cutting, owner of Yvonne School of Dance, said: “The girls were thrilled to make it through to the final of Barclays Live so this win has put them over the moon. We’d like to thank everyone who voted for us as the prize money will go a long way to boosting our fundraising for the year. The girls will now have even better costumes in their upcoming shows as they continue to improve their dancing and raise as much money for charity at the same time.”

The Barclays Live competition celebrates continued investment in branches across the country and will pull up at a host of regions in 2011. In addition to the events sweeping the nation, Barclays Live has also teamed up with StreetDance 3D star Brooke Milliner to create Your Name in Dance, an interactive dance tool showing a users name in choreographed dance form. Check it out at www.barclayslive.co.uk/interactive.php. For all the latest news and upcoming events, ‘like’ Barclays Live on Facebook www.facebook.com/BarclaysLive and follow @BarclaysLive on Twitter

Also in Tap News: An interview with Charlie Baker, winner of Let's Dance for Comic Relief - there is some bad language, you have been warned!

And a pretty stunning alternative jive from Mark Ballas and partner Chelsea Kane on Dancing With The Stars. Personally, I think it's terrific and certainly enough jive content for me! But the judges didn't like ...

Let's Dance for Comic Relief Grand Final

And this year, it really is anybody's title - Rufus and Robert previously were total shoe-ins but I can't decide who I like best out of this bunch!

We've a Disco Inferno entrance and a panel of experts: Rufus Hound, last year's champion; Strictly Come Dancing nut Miranda Hart and the barmy yet brilliant Louie Spence.

Katie Price plugs her 'Vac-u-cleaner' before a better 'I Want To Break Free' performance than before, with Rufus claiming slight 'tache envy, Miranda asking for her skirt back and Louie admitting he often does the hoovering dressed like that!

James and Charlie bring a smile to my face again with Putting On The Ritz, specially Charlie, there's such joy in his dancing - they've got my vote so far. Rufus calls it tremendous, Miranda says they're lovely, they return the compliment and she's meeting them in the bar later; Louie calls it fluid and beautiful with great rhythm.

Noel has adopted the twin Kate Bush-a-likes and is rescued this time by Heathcliffe, sweeping him/her off his/her feet and away! Rufus says Bhoosh (you see, it's a ... oh, you know) Miranda was moved and Louie complimented the beautiful extensions and says it was deeply emotional.

The 80s Supergroup with Greased Lightning and yes, I was once again up on my feet and slinging a vote their way, it was full of zesty fun! That's the way it should be, say the panel, or rather: You ramalamalama'd my ding dong (Rufus) You're shipdipdipdipdowopdididiwip (Miranda) and bangabangabangadowahdiwahdiwah (Louie).

Ade and the Dying Swan dies in a much more spectacular fashion this time, with Rik dropping a one ton weight on him. Rufus states he made us all ask qustions none of us had the answers for. Miranda reminisces about their time at the Royal Ballet together and insists he's still got it; Louie says it was a pure form of dance, executed of the highest standard - a wonderful, beautiful swan.

Russell Kane and Crazy in Love is probably the favourite but he's a lot to live up to - even better than before though! Rufus is digusted that he took a pop icon and well, you wouldn't catch him doing that! He loved it of course! Miranda called it Fab-u-licous; Louis gives it some "Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh ..." etc and I still wouldn't put money on who's going to win!

Results in, first out: The 80s Supergroup!! Aw, what! Katie Price; Ade Edmondson and Noel Fielding! It's Russell versus James & Charlie. And the winner(s) is/are: James and Charlie!

Kudos again to whoever wrote the VTs and well done also to Alex for stepping in so well that I didn't miss Claudia (still love ya, Clauds!) and to Steve for being pretty hot as usual. And well done to everyone who contributed to raising over ONE MILLION POUNDS! Whoop!

Let's Dance for Comic Relief ... 3

On the panel tonight ... John Bishop, Jo Brand and Felix Dexter.

Comedian Marcus Brigstocke is ... the Grasscutter in the Wind Beneath - it's Kung Fu Fighting and he's surprisingly good and a visual spectacle! John reckons he's given the sale of silk pyjamas a massive boost; Jo points out it was elegant, exciting and exhausting - no argument there from Marcus; Felix liked the contrast of the aggressive nature of kung fu made feminine!

Joe Swash and Caroline Flack and the Black Eyed Peas dance My Humps - Caroline's excellent, we knew that from Dancing on Wheels, Joe outshone but great performance. John's loving the polo neck and said they're a cross between Torvill and Dean and Big Fat Gypsy Weddings; Jo said: "It was just like proper dancing ... Caroline." Felix loved Joe's doorag and applauded the use of the table without innuendo!

Ade Edmondson is The Dying Swan, really captured the feel and the passion of the moment I felt, wonderful movement around the stage and a poignant death, right up until Rik Mayall started bashing him round the head with a fying pan while looking like Sir Les Patterson's scruffy younger brother. John said he made Natalie Portman look like Ann Widdecombe; Jo was nearly turned into a real woman and Felix said he had ballet in his locker.

Lee Nelson and Omelette do Club Tropicana and well, I'm just ruined now for any other man ... or possibly scarred for life. John is staggered and thinks it's a before and after picture in Slimming World; Jo tells Omelette he's fit and Lee is scrawny, and Felix has never seen such a fine cleavage on a man.

Iain Lee is Getting Jiggy With It, he really is and a smooth transition from the shell suit to the Pharaoh, with some nifty moves. John approved of the show of solidarity with the struggle for democracy in Egypt; Jo reckons he was pleased to get the duvet off and Felix felt he took the stereotypical perception that white men have no rhythm and kicked it out the park!

The 80s Supergroup - Toyah Wilcox; Clare Grogan, Chesney Hawkes and Limahl take on Greased Lightning. I was dancing around the room, I just couldn't help myself ...woooooooaaaaaahhh Greased Lightning *outstretched arms* John was a 16 year old transported to the best party; Jo would've like to see the boys laying over the bonnet and Felix said the energy was fantastic for a combined age of 200!

Results in and out go: Iain; Lee and Omelette; Marcus!

Straight through: Ade!

Judges decision - John goes for Clare, sorry, the 80s group; Jo goes for Joe & Caroline and Felix goes for Clare, sorry, the 80s group. Final next week!

Let's Dance for Comic Relief ... 2

Tonight's resident dance experts *cough* Lee Mack; Mr. Cuteness personified, Jack Whitehall - what is it about him? And Keith Lemon/Leigh Francis, I'm not quite sure which is the real one or if they're both fake ...

Penny Smith goes Toxic and sexy but shoulda given it a bit more welly, as Len would say, and she may well have won this - just for the Britney body double VT alone! At least she got to dance with Lemar, who you'd think would be concentrating on his music career, but hey, they all like to do their bit for charity. Lee is happy to go to the bar now; Jack liked the bit with the frilly pants and Keith can't tell us what he was thinking.

Lulu - how fantastic does she still look? Even so, she's re-inventing herself, according to the VT ... with dentures, a stanna stair lift and crochet blanket! Then Cranks That Soldier for a spot of Hip Hop and is fantastic, lovin' that! Lee is happy to go to the bar now; Jack called her fierce and told her she brought the crank, whatever that is; Keith becomes Johnny Mathis and croons All I Need To Know.

Noel Fielding as Kate Bush, doing Wuthering Heights and we're getting into the world of the strange now, oddly captivating, couldn't tear my eyes away! Lee said that if Angelina Jolie and Ricky Hatton ever had a love child ... Jack found him beguiling, beautiful, elegant and he's now worrying about personal issues - if he's ever with a woman and closes his eyes, he'll see Noel as Kate; Keith was reminded of Blossom and said he had wonderful arm lines!

Andi Osho is healing a family rift - whoever wrote these intro VTs is/are (a) genius(es) because they're brilliant. Jacksonitis? Bad is the song and Andi is brilliant - wish I wasn't watching an incredibly bad picture on I-Player - best natural dancer, that was too good! Lee was disappointed she didn't set fire to her head but said she was brilliant; Jack, missing the King, is now at peace cos she nailed it; Keith said "Ow! He's come back alive!"

James Thompson and Charlie Baker, neither of whom I know, give us Fight Club, sorry, no, Tap Club: The first rule is - don't forget your tap shoes, otherwise it'll just be Shoe Club, lol. Putting on the Ritz, and they do! Simple, classy, musical and elegant. Put a smile on my face, it's like a proper musical. Lee, having ascertained it wasn't sound effects, now loves tap dancing; Jack said Charlie looked like a 16 year old boy who'd found porn in the woods (Steve apologised a few minutes later!) Keith said it were just like proper tap dancing!

Jared Christmas with Hung Up by Madonna, which would have been the next Rufus if he was as good a dancer, he thinks he got away with it; he did, for the most part! Lee said he was a combo of his three favourite women - Madonna, Deirdre Barlow and Dawn French; Jack told him Keith's hairdresser did a fantastic job and Keith reckons Madonna is going to hate him - it was disgustingly brilliant.

McFly and Cee Lo Green are in but so are the results and out go: Penny; Jared and Andi. Straight through are James and Charlie, the panel have to choose: Lulu or Noel? Lee opts for Noel; Jack evens it up with Lulu and admits he's leaving it up to Keith, who is genuinely troubled: "Can't we go to deadlock?" No - you've got 15 seconds - he chooses Noel!

Four through, one more semi to go!

Let's Dance for Comic Relief!

It's back, the happiest dance show on the telly, with the nicest panel and the brilliant Brian Blessed as voice over guy, the suave Mr. Jones (seems to have lopped a bit of hair off the top of his head and smeared it round his chops) who's joined by the lovely Ms Alex Jones (no relation ... that I'm aware of) cos Claudia's too bloomin' busy!

Tonight's highly distinguished panel: Graham Norton, dance credentials - Father Ted; Frank Skinner, dance credentials: Fancy footie footwork; Greg Davis, dance credentials - size 14 feet.

Interior designer Colin and Justin, to Zanadu - Justin makes a fantastic Agnetha from Abba, forget Olivia. Colin looks like Cliffe Richard, is that intentional - wasn't there a 'thing' about Cliff and Olivia? That was Colin and Justin's most funnest night in ages, a "Tsunami of Glamour"! Graham was worried it'd be Xanadu-du and thought Camilla rather than Agnetha; Frank said it was reminiscent of clubbing with Richard and Judy and Greg was reminded of Pan's People.

Russell Kane is the now synonymous-with-the-show comic-in-drag-doing-a-great-job but it's a lot to live up to, although he has help from the family business, Banana Studios ... is it me, or does he look a little bit like Christian Bale? Do Not Adjust Your Set, tonight, Russell Kane is Beyonce, dancing to Crazy in Love! Loving the attitude, he's got some front. Seriously, that's great padding work going on there. Graham says he'll relive that again on his deathbed *my eyes!* Frank worryingly didn't look at the girls and Greg summed it up perfectly, saying it occupied a space between most disgusting and most erotic!

Rebecca Front dressed to impress, or not be missed by traffic, as Bjork, for It's Oh So Quiet and here's a future Strictly Come Dancing contestant if ever there was one, timing and presentation - far too good to win this! Charming. Graham thought brilliant and loved the dancing post box; Frank said it was 'mum's gone to Iceland in a good way' and Greg felt it had British dignity and it was entirely correct and normal to be dancing with a postbox.

Waterloo Road, in the form of Peter and Rebecca, say It's Like That (Run DMC) and they're brilliant, I mean, there are proper breakdancers but Philip was superb and stole the performance! Graham called it the Karate Kid of dance; Frank was educated and on the edge of his seat; Greg called Rebecca brilliant and said Philip single handedly claimed back Hip Hop for the middle aged!

Ed Byrne - whose genius idea to cast Gloria Hunniford as his mum? I Love To Boogie, from Billy Elliott, joined by the one and only Arlene Phillips - good effort! Graham disses Ed's legs, but says it's his fave so far; Frank said it was much more enjoyable than Black Swan, and there was a hint of River Dance; Greg said it was brilliant, especially as Arlene wasn't actually invited!

Katie Price does Freddie Mercury in I Want To Break Free, complete with under arm hair - and for all you read and think about her, she's happy to send herself up. Not sure whether she needed padding or not. Yes, apparently - Frank, like name, like nature, asked her! Graham said she's as good at dancing as she is at everything else but he loves her; Frank said she looks great with a moustache and Greg is awestruck by the underarm hair, he thought she'd perfected her look already.

Voting time! Sir Patrick Moore reads the small print, I'm thinking I liked four there, Russell, Ed, Rebecca and Waterloo Road - but no-one standing out like the last two years - Russell for the obvious reason, the funniest yet good. For fun rehearsal footage, visit the BBC website.

Results are in and straight out go Ed, Rebecca and Colin & Justin.

Straight through: Russell!

Waterloo Road versus Katie Price - and the panel go for Katie; I'd have preferred to see Waterloo Road again, just because it contained more energy but there you go. Russell dances us out - what is it with us and comedians diva dancing?