Colchester: Lily-Mai heading to Blackpool for dance competition

Lily-Mai Hunter, seven, from Elmstead Market, will be taking on the waltz and cha cha cha at the Blackpool Grand Finals competition on November 2 and 3 at the iconic Winter Gardens.

According to her mum Lorraine Hunter, Lily-Mai is a “kind, caring, and sassy little girl” who has loved dancing ever since she started classes at the age of five in 2022.

The Hunter family has always lived in Colchester and is made up of mum Lorraine, dad Andy, Max, 12, Liam, 11, and Lily-Mai herself.

Family - the Hunter family (Image: Lorraine Hunter)

Lorraine grew up enjoying ballroom dancing as a child, and Lily-Mai started to take interest after the family of five would sit and watch Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday nights.

Lorraine said: “She loved watching the dances, outfits, and when I saw a dance class in Great Bromley, I asked if she wanted to go, and she said yes.”

So far, the keen dancer has already competed in regional competitions in Cambridge and Ipswich, which subsequently helped her earn space in Blackpool.

Lily-Mai has also taken two Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing exams in the under-six and under-eight age groups – passing with flying colours.

Winner - Lily-Mai with medals (Image: Lorraine Hunter)

She practices every Tuesday at the Feather Steps Dance Academy in Capel St Mary, and has also started enjoying one-to-one sessions with a dance tutor as well.

With her dance classes, she does ballroom and Latin, waltz, the cha cha cha, and is learning the jive, rumba, and the quick step.

In Blackpool, she will face off against dancers from all over the UK in the under-eight category.

On how the talented young dancer is feeling about her forthcoming Blackpool debut, Lily-Mai said: “I’m really excited, scared, and a bit nervous.

In the zone - Lily-Mai during a dance competition (Image: Lorraine Hunter)

“I’m excited to be dancing in Blackpool.

“I’m looking forward to wearing my new blue dress for it.”

The whole family are “very proud” of her for reaching Blackpool.

Lorraine said: “It is exciting, we’re very proud, as kids we went to Blackpool for holidays, we have taken our children there, it is special.

“If you’ve got to Blackpool as a dancer, you’ve done very well”

“We’re very excited for that weekend, there is going to be a lot of competition.

“She is pleased, as it is such a big achievement.”