Lindsey's Irish Dance Challenge Blue Peter Bite

This is Blue Peter - but mini. Expect epic adventures, makes,

bakes, badges, pets, presenters and your post.

We've only got five minutes, so get ready for your Blue Peter adventure.

I've been set an Irish dancing challenge.

In just 24 hours, I need to train to perform a routine with

some of the best young dancers live on stage in Dublin.

But it won't be any old stage - oh, no.

I'll be performing as part

of the actual Riverdance show at the historic Gaiety Theatre.

Under the watchful eye of legendary professional dancer Padraic,

I quickly learnt just how hard this is going to be.

This is so tough. Proper challenge.

At this moment in time, you wouldn't put her on there.

But I kept at it, and even though time is so tight,

I've started to make progress.

Which is good, because the performance is just hours away

and I need to see the stage I'll be dancing on.

OK, here we go. This is the space. Wow! It is huge.

Oh, my goodness.

To think that that's going to be full of people later...

watching me do what I've learnt in 24 hours.

It's all becoming a bit real now.

The guys I'll be dancing with have had years of training,

and those coming to watch expect a real professional show,

so Padraic is really pushing us.

..and you just turn, and you have your right foot in front.

Good. And then we'll just take hands again.

I'll be part of the chorus line in the final scene.

If I'm out of time, I'll ruin it,

so I need to make the most of final rehearsals.

Stamp, two, three, stamp, two, three, turn. And hands.

And one, two, three, and two, two, three, and three, two, three,

and four, two, three, and stamp, two, three, stamp, two, three, turn.

And treble, then go, and stamp.

-Well done!

-APPLAUSE

I think, maybe, I'm getting there.

So, that's it. Rehearsals are over.

Now I need to go and get changed,

and in just a few hours' time, I'm going

to be coming on to do that for real in front of an audience,

and I've got to say, at the moment, that makes me feel very sick.

Help!

If anyone is going to help with some last-minute advice,

it's the show's lead dancers.

Kiera and Ciaran, how long have you guys been in Riverdance?

I started, actually, ten years ago this October.

-Whoa! A decade.

-And I've been here for three years.

So how does it feel going out on to that stage for the first

time in front of the audience?

Cos I'm going to experience that later, and I'm very nervous.

There is a mixture of nerves... Erm, but elation at the same time.

So you're nervous and you're excited and it's just...indescribable.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-Best feeling ever.

CROWD CHEERS AND APPLAUDS

So, have you got any advice for me before I go out today?

Cos I am so scared.

-I think you listen to the music...

-Yeah.

And you just count yourself in,

and all that concentration really comes into play.

And the nerves are gone, and before you know it,

-you're looking at an audience member who's clapping you.

-Really?

It's the most exciting thing ever.

I'm trying to squeeze in practice wherever I can.

Next time that curtain opens,

there's going to be a whole audience there.

Can I go home?

This is it.

As the show begins,

I get together with the guys who will be out there with me.

Have you got any top tips for me?

-Cos I am honestly shaking, I'm that scared.

-Just smile.

-Smile?

-Yeah.

-Stay in the line.

-But what if I go wrong?

-You've got it.

It's fine, just keep smiling.

-Just keep smiling, no matter what happens?

-Yeah, head up.

So, if I go wrong, I'm just going to wing it,

-and I'll try and make it look like you guys have all gone wrong.

-Yeah.

Great! I like that plan. Guys, good luck. Look after me out there, OK?

-Good luck.

-Thank you.

-I will!

-Thank you.

Before I know it, the moment I've been waiting for has arrived.

IRISH MUSIC PLAYS

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight,

one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight!

CROWD CHEERS AND APPLAUDS

Well done!

-You were great!

-Oh, I'm still shaking!

-You did perfect!

Oh, well done!

-Well done.

-Well done!

In just 24 hours, I've gone from an Irish dancing novice to

performing in its most famous show.

And you know what? I'm really proud of that.

That was amazing. You did so well!

I'm fully shaking. That was the most incredible feeling.

Now I understand why you guys do that,

because being up there and going for it is...

And the crowd were going crazy. It was amazing.

-That was so good.

-And you didn't mess up one step.

Didn't I? I don't know what happened.

-You did everything exactly the way it was.

-I was trying to smile.

You came straight up to the line, you turned at the right time,

you were smiling, you were feeding off the audience,

and they all went crazy.

That was so, so good.

To anyone who hasn't tried Irish dancing, give it a go.

Riverdance has been incredible, so have you.

Thank you for all your help.

Thank you so much, and well done. Mission accomplished.

-Great challenge.

-I don't know how you taught me.

No, you did brilliant.

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