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  • Weekend Breaks With The Stars Of Strictly
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    22nd – 24th July 2022
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    3rd – 5th March 2023
  • 4* Old Windsor, Berkshire
    24th – 26th March 2023
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    14th – 16th April 2023
  • 4* Old Windsor, Berkshire
    23rd – 25th June 2023
  • 5* Celtic Manor Resort
    14th – 16th July 2023

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Meet The Strictly Stars

Strictly Come Dancing Professionals
  • Aljaz Skorjanec
  • Amy Dowden
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  • Dianne Buswell
  • Giovanni Pernice
  • Gorka Marquez
  • Graziano Di Prima
  • Janette Manrara
  • Johannes Radebe
  • Karen Hauer
  • Katya Jones
  • Luba Mushtuk
  • Nadiya Bychkova
  • Nancy Xu
  • Neil Jones
  • Oti Mabuse
  • Shirley Ballas
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  • Nikita Kuzmin
  • Cameron Lombard
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  • Darren Bennett and
    Lilia Kopylova
  • Erin Boag
  • Ian Waite and Natalie Lowe
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  • Pasha Kovalev
  • Robin Windsor
  • Trent Whiddon
  • Vincent Simone

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Strictly's Janette Manrara & Aljaz Skorjanec

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    Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova

    Darren Bennett Lilia Kopylova

    Updated 17th January 2022

    Strictly Come Dancing’s most successful couple….

    Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova are the most successful male and female professionals in the history of Strictly Come Dancing, having starred in 6 series and won 7 Trophies between them!

    Now, they are known across the globe as Judges & Choreographers for Strictly spin off shows “Dancing with the stars” – Lilia as head judge on the Turkish version Yok Böyle Dans and Darren as head judge & choreographer on the Lebanese version of Strictly.

    Darren and Lilia are currently Creative Producers & Choreographers of the hugely successful 2017-2021 Dancing With The Stars TV Series Ireland.

    In July 1997 Darren and Lilia were introduced to each other, competing in their first competitive competition together after just 5 weeks!

    Read more about Darren & Lilia’s glittering dance achievements, view photos & merchandise, plus catch up on all their latest news below

    5* Weekend Breaks with the stars of Strictly Come Dancing

    Who better to teach you to dance than the professional dancers from Strictly Come Dancing? You can meet the stars, learn their steps and be captivated as they perform spectacular shows just for you.

    Strictly Come Dancing Professionals live at Celtic Manor Resort Hotel

    Fri 22nd – Sun 24th July 2022
    5* Celtic Manor Resort Hotel
    Newport, South Wales

    Join Strictly Stars Aljaz Skorjanec & Janette Manrara, Katya & Neil Jones, Amy Dowden & Ben Jones, Strictly Head Judge Shirley Ballas, British National & World Ballroom Champions Warren & Kristi Boyce, plus Argentine Tango stars Leandro Palou & Maria Tsiatsiani for an unforgettable weekend break.

    Learn More about Anton Du Beke and Erin Boag Weekend Break

    Darren & Lilia’s – Reviews of Donahey’s Dance Weekends

    Darren & Lilia have attended many of Donahey’s 4* Weekend Breaks, here’s what they think…

    ‘We’ve had great feedback from a lot of people about your event, it was a fantastic weekend’ Darren Bennett & Lilia Kopylova

    Lilia Kopylova – Winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2005

    Lilia Kopylova

    Age 43 – Born 18 June 1978
    Height 5′ 3″
    Married

    Lilia Kopylova stared dancing at the age of 4, firstly as an ice dancer competing throughout Russia (then USSR) becoming Moscow state champion.

    Later after discovering Ballroom and Latin American dancing at the age of 9, Lilia competed at all levels becoming Russian Champion in all grades.

    Together they won the International and British Youth Championships, winning every dance. They continued to have a fantastic amateur career winning 4 British amateur championships, 3 UK championships and represented Great Britain at World and European championships until they turned professional.

    Turning Professional in 2003 together they won the British Rising Star Professional Championships at their first attempt beating 250 couples to this prestigious title. They continued their success making the final of the Italian & Dutch Opens and World Masters. Within their first year of being professional they achieved a ranking in the top 6 of the World Series. In 2004 they made the final of the World Championships and became members of the British Team.

    In July of 2004 their careers changed forever when they were asked if they would like to take part in the Strictly Come Dancing, having been unavailable for the first series they took up the offer and never looked back.

    2005 was another amazing year, Darren and Lilia continued with their competitive careers which saw them becoming British National Champions after being placed first in all 5 dances as well as Uk professional Latin Champions, European Professional finalists and member of the British team.

    In 2006 they retained their British National title, and in 2007 Darren and Lilia decided to concentrate on their show Career which was now in full swing and made the hard choice to no longer compete at world level.

    Lilia dancing with Aled Jones were the fan’s favourites winning the phone vote for 6 weeks but were knocked out at the semi final. Darren went on to present at the Royal Variety Show that year meeting Prince Charles and performing with Michael Buble on stage.

    A return to Strictly Come Dancing soon followed, this time not to be outdone, Lilia waltzed off with the title while partnering cricketing star Darren Gough, after which they also went on to win the International Christmas special.

    Tweets by @LiliaKopylova

    Darren Bennett – Winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2004

    Darren Bennett

    Age 44 – Born 14 February 1977
    Married

    Darren Bennett started dancing at the young age of 6 at his parents dance studio and he soon knew dance was the career he wanted to follow. As a young competitive dancer Darren represented Great Britain at World and European championships quickly rising through the ranks of juvenile, junior and youth being a champion in each level.

    At his first attempt Darren dancing together with Jill Halfpenny from Eastenders won Strictly Come Dancing and then went on to win the Champion of Champions dance off. Darren’s third participation in Strictly saw them achieve astounding success with both Darren and Lilia battling it out in the semi-finals Darren with spice girl Emma Bunton and Lilia with Rugby legend Matt Dawson making it again to the final where they were narrowly defeated by Mark Ramprakash and Karen Hardy.

    Returning to Strictly for a 4th time Darren was paired with another Eastender’s star Letitia Dean and after a disastrous start they recovered and Darren took Letitia to the quarter final.

    Tweets by @DB_Dance

    BBC Strictly Come Dancing

    Find out more information about the BBC TV programme Strictly Come Dancing
    by checking out the BBC Strictly Come Dancing website
    www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing

    Find out more about BBC Strictly Come Dancing stars
    Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova, checkout there website
    www.darrenandlilia.com

    Donahey’s Dance Lessons & UK Weekend Breaks are not associated with the BBC.

    Meet all the Strictly Come Dancing Professional Dancers

    Learn more about all your favourite Strictly Pro’s here;

    – Aljaz Skorjanec
    – Amy Dowden
    – Anton du Beke
    – Dianne Buswell
    – Giovanni Pernice
    – Gorka Marquez
    – Graziano di Prima
    – Janette Manrara
    – Johannes Radebe
    – Jowita Przystal
    – Kai Widdrington
    – Karen Clifton
    – Katya Jones
    – Kevin Clifton
    – Luba Mushtuk
    – Nadiya Bychkova
    – Nancy Xu
    – Neil Jones
    – Nikita Kuzmin
    – Oti Mabuse

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    Donahey's Dance School 50 years ABTOT Member

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