Blackpool dancer and choreographer funks up lockdown with dance isolation challenge

Laura Anne Gill, who grew up in Bispham, choreographed a short routine to Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson's Uptown Funk, while self isolating in Switzerland and has racked up thousands of views on her YouTube link.

The former Bispham High School pupil is currently in Europe where she had been working before the coronavirus pandemic took hold.

Laura said: "The reason for me doing this was simply that I saw people online expressing their want and love of moving and dancing and singing as soon as they were in isolation/lockdown.

"Even in hard times people showed a want and need to feel good and I personally had been feeling a little suffocated with the endless sad and depressing headlines and the loss of work, social events, classes

"It felt imbalanced and I just wanted to put something out there that was positive, inclusive for dancers and non dancers, adults and kids to take part in.

Laura asked for people to share their videos and suddenly found her short routine being shared across different channels with hundreds getting involved.

"I didn’t know if anyone would be interested or even give it a go. Then more people started to share the link and send videos so I extended it. I received many videos of solos/families/kids/parents/pets/couples taking part."

Laura is now hoping to compile a montage film of all the send ins to put her creative talents to use during lockdown.

"As a freelance choreographer I work internationally, contract to contract, with some additional teaching work in between when I’m back in the UK..

"All of this ground to a halt as soon as the virus outbreak began and has pretty much stayed that way. It’s an uncertain time for the self employed but what has been positive and promising is the new wave of opportunities to teach using platforms like Zoom, it’s like a whole new industry has been created and seems to be working well for many so far."

Laura began dancing when she was a toddler and is a former pupil of Scream Theatre School. Pursuing her love for street,commercial dance, at 17 years old Laura, secured a contract with dance agency AMCK in London.

She added: "I danced professionally for about 10 years performing for different artists like Katy Perry, Pink, Gwen Stefani, George Michael, Kanye West, Rod Stewart, Geri Halliwell, JLS & Alexandra Burke.

She has performed on a variety of TV shows and series including Brit Awards, MTV European Music Awards, the Royal Variety Show and X Factor.

Her career highlight was being invited to work on the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies. Last year she was taken on as assistant director of choreography for the renowned summer festival and stadium show ‘Fête des Vignerons’ in Switzerland.

Anyone wanting to take part in the isolation dance challenge, just search for ‘Isolation dance challenge tutorial’ on YouTube.

Those wanting to share their dance can send a video to Laura's Instagram @lauraannegill or tag her using her Facebook page and the hashtag #IsolationDanceChallenge