The multi-award winning dancer has been part of the BBC’s mega-hit show Strictly Come Dancing since 2016 as choreographer and pro dancer, partnering with celebrities including Alex Scott and Toyah Willcox.
His first show for Lichfield Festival, back in 2018 – Somnium: A Dancer’s Dream (pictured) – was a stunning success. “After that we were able to put on the same show at Sadler’s Wells. It was the first ever Latin and Ballroom show to be performed at Sadler’s Wells and an honour to get it accepted.”
The creative challenge of producing a show in Lichfield Cathedral took him back to his competition days. “When I used to do show dance competitions, the only things we had choices over were the costumes, the music and the choreography, and that was it – we couldn’t control the lighting or the layout of the floor, we made the most of it, and I like that. And I just love the look of the cathedral, it’s beautiful.”
Born in the British Army Camp in Münster, in Germany, Neil’s competitive streak was evident from a very early age. “When I was 3 or 4, my sister was dancing and I used to go along to the classes to watch. She’d come home every week with trophies and I just got really jealous. So I got into dancing and through my time became quite successful at winning.”
Which is something of an understatement! He holds 45 dance championship titles including eight times British National and
European, and four times World Latin Championship wins.
“As I got to the end of my competitive career I’d already been asked by Strictly a couple of times to go on, and I was already working with them as a choreographer.” So when he, and his then wife Katya, retired from competing, the time was right to join Strictly.
His busy year to date has already seen him on the Strictly tour. “Straight after I’d finished with that, I went on to do the choreography for Carlos [Gu] and Amy [Dowden]’s Reborn tour as well.”
After one more Strictly cruise with Saga, his time is free for Gingerland. And a wedding! He’s marrying Love Island contestant Chyna Mills, with whom he has an 18-month old daughter Havana.
“Yes, the wedding is coming, and she’s left it up to me to organise everything. The wedding is happening the week before Lichfield. So we’ll be in rehearsals, then I’ll take a couple of days off, then go back in again.” The honeymoon will just have to wait a couple of weeks!
Gingerland is at Lichfield Cathedral on 10 & 11 July as part of Lichfield Festival. Lichfield Festival runs from 8-20 July 2025. Tickets and details at
www.lichfieldfestival.org or 01543 306271 (call-back service)
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