2 months ago
Ashley Banjo MBE said it could have been more difficult if his dance group Diversity were starting out today due to the way the world had changed.
In 2007, the street dance troupe was formed with 11 members from London and Essex, before winning ITV's Britain's Got Talent two years later.
The 37-year-old, who worries that the next big dance group could be missed due to rising living costs and reduced opportunities, has backed a programme to support 20 individuals in professional dancing.
It came as the number of working dancers and choreographers has been cut by a third since 2019, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Banjo, who grew up in Wickford, Essex, said the world is "very different" from when he started out and thinks the costs can be overwhelming.
#World #costs
In 2007, the street dance troupe was formed with 11 members from London and Essex, before winning ITV's Britain's Got Talent two years later.
The 37-year-old, who worries that the next big dance group could be missed due to rising living costs and reduced opportunities, has backed a programme to support 20 individuals in professional dancing.
It came as the number of working dancers and choreographers has been cut by a third since 2019, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Banjo, who grew up in Wickford, Essex, said the world is "very different" from when he started out and thinks the costs can be overwhelming.
#World #costs
2 months ago
Steve Carell and his wife Nancy Carell celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary on Aug. 5, 2026
They share two children, daughter Annie and son John
The couple have attended countless events together over the years, from red carpets to sports games
Steve Carell and his wife Nancy Carell are celebrating 31 years of marriage.
The couple wed on Aug. 5, 1995, after they first met in the early '90s while part of the comedy troupe The Second City in Chicago. They share two children: daughter Annie and son John.
#nancy #children
They share two children, daughter Annie and son John
The couple have attended countless events together over the years, from red carpets to sports games
Steve Carell and his wife Nancy Carell are celebrating 31 years of marriage.
The couple wed on Aug. 5, 1995, after they first met in the early '90s while part of the comedy troupe The Second City in Chicago. They share two children: daughter Annie and son John.
#nancy #children
2 months ago
In 2007, actor and comedian Robin Williams traveled to Kuwait for an appearance at Camp Arifjan.
Williams was doing his best to entertain the troops when they suddenly stopped paying attention to the stage. They immediately shifted their focus behind them to render honors as the American flag was lowered. Williams wasn't so much offended as mildly perplexed. At first, he didn't understand what was going on.
Related: Bob Hope entertained the troops from WWII to Desert Storm
Once the service members explained it to Williams, he brought it back to why he traveled 8,000 miles from home.
"Sort of reminds you why we're here, doesn't it?" Williams replied, according to a 2014 Defense Department article.
Here are seven celebrities who were committed to showing their appreciation for the United States military.
Bob Hope (middle) and his USO troupe visit a hospital ward in the South Pacific in 1944. (Library of Congress)
We start with the OG of military entertainers. Hope performed for troops domestically and overseas for five decades, beginning with a performance at March Field in California in 1941. Hope, whose "Road to…" films with Bing Crosby became popular with moviegoers, never tired of traveling to see troops.
His 57 tours with the United Service Organizations conveyed his appreciation to his adopted country. Born in London in 1903, Hope moved to America at an early age. He became a U.S. citizen when he was 17 years old.
"He brought such enthusiasm, brought your life back to you," Navy Seabee Ron Ronning said of Hope's last USO show during the Vietnam War in late 1972. "You felt like you were renewed."
Hope died on July 27, 2003, at the age of 100.
Country singer/songwriter Toby Keith salutes more than 1,000 service members who came to see his concert at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, April 27, 2009. (U.S. Army/Capt. Michael Greenberger)
Lee Greenwood has "God Bless the USA," perhaps the quintessential patriotic song. Few singers, though, compiled a music catalog that honored the military quite like Keith.
The "American Soldier," "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue," and "Call a Marine" singer participated in 18 USO tours. By one estimate, he performed in front of 250,000-plus troops in 17 countries. When mortar fire interrupted a set in Afghanistan, Keith left the stage. He and troops sprinted about a hundred yards to a concrete bunker. There, he signed autographs until he could return to doing what he did best.
"I've met so many great, brave service men and women over the years and had so many wonderful experiences, that I can barely remember them all," Keith said in 2012. "… I won't ever stop doing my part to extend my thanks."
Keith died in 2024 at the age of 62.
#williams
Williams was doing his best to entertain the troops when they suddenly stopped paying attention to the stage. They immediately shifted their focus behind them to render honors as the American flag was lowered. Williams wasn't so much offended as mildly perplexed. At first, he didn't understand what was going on.
Related: Bob Hope entertained the troops from WWII to Desert Storm
Once the service members explained it to Williams, he brought it back to why he traveled 8,000 miles from home.
"Sort of reminds you why we're here, doesn't it?" Williams replied, according to a 2014 Defense Department article.
Here are seven celebrities who were committed to showing their appreciation for the United States military.
Bob Hope (middle) and his USO troupe visit a hospital ward in the South Pacific in 1944. (Library of Congress)
We start with the OG of military entertainers. Hope performed for troops domestically and overseas for five decades, beginning with a performance at March Field in California in 1941. Hope, whose "Road to…" films with Bing Crosby became popular with moviegoers, never tired of traveling to see troops.
His 57 tours with the United Service Organizations conveyed his appreciation to his adopted country. Born in London in 1903, Hope moved to America at an early age. He became a U.S. citizen when he was 17 years old.
"He brought such enthusiasm, brought your life back to you," Navy Seabee Ron Ronning said of Hope's last USO show during the Vietnam War in late 1972. "You felt like you were renewed."
Hope died on July 27, 2003, at the age of 100.
Country singer/songwriter Toby Keith salutes more than 1,000 service members who came to see his concert at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, April 27, 2009. (U.S. Army/Capt. Michael Greenberger)
Lee Greenwood has "God Bless the USA," perhaps the quintessential patriotic song. Few singers, though, compiled a music catalog that honored the military quite like Keith.
The "American Soldier," "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue," and "Call a Marine" singer participated in 18 USO tours. By one estimate, he performed in front of 250,000-plus troops in 17 countries. When mortar fire interrupted a set in Afghanistan, Keith left the stage. He and troops sprinted about a hundred yards to a concrete bunker. There, he signed autographs until he could return to doing what he did best.
"I've met so many great, brave service men and women over the years and had so many wonderful experiences, that I can barely remember them all," Keith said in 2012. "… I won't ever stop doing my part to extend my thanks."
Keith died in 2024 at the age of 62.
#williams
2 months ago
Derek Hough's wife, Hayley Erbert, is feeling love from fans after announcing a devastating family loss.
In a Tuesday, July 28, Instagram post, the former Dancing With the Stars troupe member revealed that her stepfather, Jim, had passed away several days prior. "It has been a week since Jim left us earth side, a week since his beautiful soul was set free," Erbert wrote. "He was the best bonus dad there was, even though 'bonus' will never be a big enough word. He showed me that being a dad isn't about biology. It's about showing up. It's about consistency, patience, protection, and love."
Erbert said she was "so lucky" to have her stepfather in her life, describing him as "one of those rare people who made the world feel gentler just by being in it." She added, "Selfless in every sense, his kindness showed in everything he did, his calm made everyone feel safe, and his quiet humor was there for anyone paying close enough attention. To know him was to love him."
Referring to her and Hough's 7-month-old daughter, Erbert continued, "Everley didn't have nearly as much time with him as any of us wish she could've, but she now has the best guardian angel." She concluded the tribute by writing, "I will love you forever, Jim. And I will miss you even more."
View this post on Instagram
#erbert
In a Tuesday, July 28, Instagram post, the former Dancing With the Stars troupe member revealed that her stepfather, Jim, had passed away several days prior. "It has been a week since Jim left us earth side, a week since his beautiful soul was set free," Erbert wrote. "He was the best bonus dad there was, even though 'bonus' will never be a big enough word. He showed me that being a dad isn't about biology. It's about showing up. It's about consistency, patience, protection, and love."
Erbert said she was "so lucky" to have her stepfather in her life, describing him as "one of those rare people who made the world feel gentler just by being in it." She added, "Selfless in every sense, his kindness showed in everything he did, his calm made everyone feel safe, and his quiet humor was there for anyone paying close enough attention. To know him was to love him."
Referring to her and Hough's 7-month-old daughter, Erbert continued, "Everley didn't have nearly as much time with him as any of us wish she could've, but she now has the best guardian angel." She concluded the tribute by writing, "I will love you forever, Jim. And I will miss you even more."
View this post on Instagram
#erbert
2 months ago
Former Dancing with the Stars troupe member Hayley Erbert is mourning the loss of her beloved stepfather, Jim Swartz. On July 28, she shared an emotional tribute that has touched Dancing with the Stars fans and friends alike.
In a post on Instagram, Erbert revealed that her stepfather died a week ago. Many Dancing with the Stars fans know that he had been ill for quite some time.
Erbert began her tribute to Jim by writing, "It has been a week since Jim left us earth side, a week since his beautiful soul was set free."
"He was the best bonus dad there was, even though 'bonus' will never be a big enough word," she continued.
The former Dancing with the Stars troupe member explained that Jim taught her that being a dad is about "showing up," not biology. "It's about consistency, patience, protection, and love."
#troupe
In a post on Instagram, Erbert revealed that her stepfather died a week ago. Many Dancing with the Stars fans know that he had been ill for quite some time.
Erbert began her tribute to Jim by writing, "It has been a week since Jim left us earth side, a week since his beautiful soul was set free."
"He was the best bonus dad there was, even though 'bonus' will never be a big enough word," she continued.
The former Dancing with the Stars troupe member explained that Jim taught her that being a dad is about "showing up," not biology. "It's about consistency, patience, protection, and love."
#troupe
