0:00:20 > 0:00:22BOTH: Hi, we're...
0:00:22 > 0:00:24Come on in!
0:00:24 > 0:00:26This is our family.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28- This is Mum.- Hi.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30- This is big brother Riley.- Hi!
0:00:30 > 0:00:33- And this is Dad.- Hi!
0:00:33 > 0:00:34And this is Roger.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36We've got achondroplasia,
0:00:36 > 0:00:39which means we're shorter than most people,
0:00:39 > 0:00:41but being small has its advantages.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45The good things are that we can hide in small places.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47AMELIA AND IMOGEN GIGGLE
0:00:48 > 0:00:50We're the same size as our dog, Roger,
0:00:50 > 0:00:52and when we're tired,
0:00:52 > 0:00:56our dad can just pick us up and take us to bed.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58BOTH: We're also really good at dancing.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01It's all we've wanted to do, ever since we were babies.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04One day, we dream of becoming professionals...
0:01:04 > 0:01:07..And to be the best dancers in the world.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10Join us as we work harder than ever...
0:01:10 > 0:01:11Meet our heroes...
0:01:11 > 0:01:13- What's my favourite number?- Seven!
0:01:13 > 0:01:15..and overcome our fears...
0:01:15 > 0:01:20..to begin our journey to become ballroom superstars.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24Girls, time to get up.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27Amelia, come on - we're going to be late for school. Come on!
0:01:27 > 0:01:30Today, we're up bright and early, because we've moved schools
0:01:30 > 0:01:33so we can join our big brother Riley at his school.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35So, how are you feeling, darling?
0:01:35 > 0:01:38- Very nervous, actually.- Really?
0:01:38 > 0:01:41I felt a bit upset, because I was going to leave my friends behind
0:01:41 > 0:01:44and I wondered what was going to happen.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48We explained to Amelia and Imogen that when you go to school,
0:01:48 > 0:01:51the chances are, them people are going to be intrigued,
0:01:51 > 0:01:53because they've never seen anybody like you.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55What about you, Imogen?
0:01:55 > 0:01:56I'm a bit nervous.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58- You're a bit nervous as well?- Mm.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01Well, just relax and be yourself.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05It's a little bit different for us, starting anything new -
0:02:05 > 0:02:08because we look different to everybody else.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10Amelia and Imogen have to get on the stilts.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13But stilts always break the ice.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15- What's it feel like, to be this tall?- Weird.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17- Would you want to be this tall?- No.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20- Why?- Why? Because we play hide-and-seek better.
0:02:20 > 0:02:21Oh, yeah.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23I know, it's hard being our size.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25Not only are we the only people with dwarfism,
0:02:25 > 0:02:28but we are also the only twins
0:02:28 > 0:02:32and it's hard for people who have only just met us to tell us apart.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34That's Imogen and that's Amelia.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36That's Amelia, that's Imogen!
0:02:36 > 0:02:38It's all right, I get used to it now.
0:02:38 > 0:02:43I used to be like, "No, it's Amelia, not Imogen!"
0:02:43 > 0:02:44I'm all right now.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46We're identical twins,
0:02:46 > 0:02:48because our genes are the same.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50But there are some differences.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52Amelia's face is wider...
0:02:52 > 0:02:54..And Imogen is taller - but only by a centimetre.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56BELL RINGS
0:02:56 > 0:02:59New friends always have so many questions about our height
0:02:59 > 0:03:03that we've decided to do a presentation all about us
0:03:03 > 0:03:04at the end of term.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09We're off to our weekly dance class.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13We practise every chance we can get.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16You don't really dance with a partner.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19You're a little bit like...
0:03:19 > 0:03:21You don't know what to do.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24When we enter competitions, we always dance with our teacher,
0:03:24 > 0:03:27but we've never danced with boys our own age.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29I don't know the boy steps.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32Like, we're both girls, so we both do the girl steps.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36It's really weird. I'm not used to holding boys' hands.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40There is one boy at our dance class who Imogen would like to dance with.
0:03:40 > 0:03:41Shush, Amelia!
0:03:41 > 0:03:44He's called Ethan, she likes dancing with him.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46He's in year five.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48He's really nice, Ethan.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51Imogen gets embarrassed talking about Ethan.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53No, I don't!
0:03:53 > 0:03:56We love dancing more than anything
0:03:56 > 0:03:58and we dream of being dancers
0:03:58 > 0:04:00when we grow up.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03The girls have been dancing almost three years
0:04:03 > 0:04:06and they've achieved bronze, silver and gold
0:04:06 > 0:04:08in both ballroom and Latin.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11And they are little stars.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14As we've just got the highest mark in our dance exam,
0:04:14 > 0:04:19our teacher Mike has got a special announcement for us.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23There was a surprise. Everybody came over and it was a bit...
0:04:23 > 0:04:25- embarrassing. - You weren't expecting it.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27No, you weren't expecting it.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30What I've brought you across here for and everybody else
0:04:30 > 0:04:33is that we've got a little bit of a surprise.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37You both are going to dance
0:04:37 > 0:04:41in one of the world's most famous ballrooms.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45You are going to go to the dance in Blackpool.
0:04:45 > 0:04:46APPLAUSE
0:04:46 > 0:04:48Blackpool is where they dance
0:04:48 > 0:04:51on the special Strictly Come Dancing episodes
0:04:51 > 0:04:53and where some of our heroes dance,
0:04:53 > 0:04:55like Pasha and Ulla.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59We've always wanted to dance there.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02If they get the opportunity to go to Blackpool
0:05:02 > 0:05:03and dance on that floor...
0:05:03 > 0:05:05It's a dancer's dream.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09But to dance properly, we need a male dance partner
0:05:09 > 0:05:12and Mike has two boys lined up for us.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14And one of them is Ethan!
0:05:14 > 0:05:18Ethan, you're dancing with Imogen.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21Charlie, you're dancing with Amelia.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25I haven't danced with a boy before, so I was kind of nervous.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29I'm going to let Amelia tell you how I feel about dancing with Ethan.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31I don't really want to get between them,
0:05:31 > 0:05:34or Imogen will get...
0:05:34 > 0:05:36I'm just saying... Yeah, you would.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40We've only got three weeks to go before we dance at Blackpool.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43It's time for the hard work to begin.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46The outfits people wear at Blackpool are amazing,
0:05:46 > 0:05:50so Mum has said we could have new dresses for our dance -
0:05:50 > 0:05:53and they cost £200 each!
0:05:53 > 0:05:54I like that bit on the arm.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Because we're so small,
0:05:56 > 0:05:59we can't just buy dresses like everyone else,
0:05:59 > 0:06:03but that means we get to design our own.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05- Did you want this colour with the lace sleeve...- Yes, please.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07..that has a little bit that goes on your jacket?
0:06:07 > 0:06:10Imogen knows exactly what she wants...
0:06:10 > 0:06:13..But Amelia's arguing with Mum, as usual.
0:06:13 > 0:06:14No, I'm not, Imogen!
0:06:14 > 0:06:18- Is that more what you had in mind? - That's more what I want.- That one?
0:06:18 > 0:06:20But can I have a choker, please?
0:06:20 > 0:06:22Amelia's a very determined character -
0:06:22 > 0:06:24they like to do things for themselves.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26And then there's a choker there...
0:06:26 > 0:06:29I try and stop them from doing things, don't I?
0:06:29 > 0:06:31I am quite bad at that.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33"I want a choker, I want a choker."
0:06:33 > 0:06:35- She wants a choker. - I want a choker, OK?
0:06:35 > 0:06:37And they are very hard to negotiate with, as well.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40Yes. And I get told a lot,
0:06:40 > 0:06:42"Mum, I'm nine."
0:06:42 > 0:06:44Isn't it my decision here?
0:06:44 > 0:06:46I'm wearing it, not you. Not you.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48No, Amelia.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52Finally, Amelia and Mum reach a compromise.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55- That's the colour.- That's more like a green, isn't it? Is that OK?
0:06:55 > 0:06:56That's the colour.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58I can't wait to see what they look like.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00Thank you, bye!
0:07:01 > 0:07:03Today is really exciting,
0:07:03 > 0:07:07because it's our first chance to dance with our new partners,
0:07:07 > 0:07:08Ethan and Charlie.
0:07:08 > 0:07:13Right, we've got two weeks before we go to Blackpool Tower,
0:07:13 > 0:07:15so we've got to make sure that it's right,
0:07:15 > 0:07:18so that we don't kick each other or trip each other up.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20I wonder how different it will be...
0:07:20 > 0:07:23..Dancing with boys who are much taller than us.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25What you've got to try and do is make sure that you dance
0:07:25 > 0:07:27to your own height,
0:07:27 > 0:07:28so whoever I'm dancing with,
0:07:28 > 0:07:31you adjust to the lady's height, OK?
0:07:31 > 0:07:33And not the man's height.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37And a-one, two, cycle, spin.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40Right around, off we go and...
0:07:40 > 0:07:42Uh...
0:07:42 > 0:07:43Rewind.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45Don't over-stride.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47Now, what we've got to try and do
0:07:47 > 0:07:51is take the appropriate-size step to who also you're dancing with.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Through we go, through. Step...
0:07:53 > 0:07:56Come back, come back, come back...
0:07:56 > 0:07:58I'm finding it quite hard.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00Yeah, harder than I thought I would.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02That's OK, let's do it again.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06Quite difficult, with the routines not being the ones that I'm used to,
0:08:06 > 0:08:09in the two-week space that we've got.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13- First, then a left.- Ah, second. - No, you did. Now, go!
0:08:13 > 0:08:15Sometimes, it destroys the whole dance,
0:08:15 > 0:08:18because if you do it wrong, you're like, aw!
0:08:18 > 0:08:19Then you just let yourself down.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25Sometimes, when everyone else is bigger than you,
0:08:25 > 0:08:26things can be harder.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30Having achondroplasia means that we get pain in our joints.
0:08:30 > 0:08:35It can affect our sleep and we can get lots of ear infections.
0:08:35 > 0:08:36We will always be different,
0:08:36 > 0:08:40but our parents do everything they can to protect us
0:08:40 > 0:08:43and make us feel good about ourselves.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46- You've just had a really hard dance session there...- Yeah.
0:08:46 > 0:08:47..and what we thought was,
0:08:47 > 0:08:50what would be a really amazing place,
0:08:50 > 0:08:52where you could go and see people dance?
0:08:52 > 0:08:54Guess where we're going this weekend?
0:08:54 > 0:08:57- Guess where we're going on Saturday? - Where?
0:08:57 > 0:09:01You're going to go to the Strictly Come Dancing live show.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05Just for once, we're a bit lost for words.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07Will that give you inspiration, do you think?
0:09:07 > 0:09:09Yeah? I think so.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12BOTH: We're going to Strictly!
0:09:12 > 0:09:14We could only get two tickets,
0:09:14 > 0:09:16so we couldn't bring Ethan and Charlie with us.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18But we're still excited.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21I'm so excited - like, literally.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24I wonder if we'll get to meet any of the stars?
0:09:24 > 0:09:26Take us to Strictly, please!
0:09:28 > 0:09:32Head judge Len has heard we are in the building
0:09:32 > 0:09:34and he wants to meet us.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Can we have a photograph?
0:09:36 > 0:09:38Ho-ho! Ha-ha!
0:09:38 > 0:09:39What's your favourite dance?
0:09:39 > 0:09:41Quickstep and samba.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43Show me your hold - how you hold.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45Oh! And your...
0:09:45 > 0:09:46Turn your head to the left, please.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49That is fantastico!
0:09:49 > 0:09:51What's my favourite number?
0:09:51 > 0:09:52Seven!
0:09:52 > 0:09:54- What number is it?- Seven!
0:09:54 > 0:09:55Seven!
0:09:55 > 0:09:57LEN CHUCKLES
0:09:59 > 0:10:01And it's showtime!
0:10:03 > 0:10:05CHEERING
0:10:05 > 0:10:08'Dancing the salsa, Steve Backshall and Ola Jordan.'
0:10:08 > 0:10:11We want to be dancers, just like these guys -
0:10:11 > 0:10:14but we know to do that,
0:10:14 > 0:10:18we're going to have to put in a lot of hard work.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20As the show finishes,
0:10:20 > 0:10:22we get to meet Steve Backshall.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25Do you have any big tips to show us?
0:10:25 > 0:10:28The one tip that I have for myself is that all of a sudden,
0:10:28 > 0:10:32I find everything a lot easier if I put it into the terms of animals.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34So, if I say, for example, this next move,
0:10:34 > 0:10:36I'm going to strike out like a cobra,
0:10:36 > 0:10:38or this one, I'm going to walk a little bit like a panther,
0:10:38 > 0:10:40with my shoulders moving like this,
0:10:40 > 0:10:41all of a sudden, it makes sense to me.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44So I guess, finding something that's familiar to you
0:10:44 > 0:10:46gives you a way into a dance -
0:10:46 > 0:10:49from something you already know - can always be a help.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51We're just heading home now
0:10:51 > 0:10:53and it's been brilliant,
0:10:53 > 0:10:56just seeing all the dancers...
0:10:56 > 0:10:58and I'm so glad I've done it.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02Today is our presentation.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06We can tell all our friends about our visit to Strictly.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08This is Len Goodman.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10Len asked us to say his favourite number...
0:11:10 > 0:11:12BOTH: Seven!
0:11:12 > 0:11:14Is it difficult to dance with tall boys?
0:11:14 > 0:11:17No, not really.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19It's just with our instructor,
0:11:19 > 0:11:21we would hold them like that,
0:11:21 > 0:11:23but we have to hold them like that.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26It's helpful when people ask questions,
0:11:26 > 0:11:29because they understand more.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31What does it make you feel like, when people stare at you?
0:11:31 > 0:11:34Yeah, it kind of hurts us, but we know why they're thinking that.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37But I wouldn't just stare at them
0:11:37 > 0:11:39and make them feel uncomfortable, though.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41Because they're the same - we're just smaller.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44I think I understand them, because they talked about it
0:11:44 > 0:11:48and I think it'll make me better friends with them.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51They've probably done more exciting things than I have,
0:11:51 > 0:11:54so it just shows you that anything is possible.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56It'll be good in school now, because people know more.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00Having been brave and able to stand up in front of our friends,
0:12:00 > 0:12:02are we ready for our biggest challenge -
0:12:02 > 0:12:04dancing at Blackpool?
0:12:04 > 0:12:06It's the night before our big day.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10I'm having the best time of my life so far.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12BOTH: We're off to Blackpool!
0:12:14 > 0:12:17Finally, the big day has arrived
0:12:17 > 0:12:20and as we walk in ahead of the boys,
0:12:20 > 0:12:23we can't believe that we'll be dancing here.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27What do you think, girls? Is it bigger than you thought?
0:12:27 > 0:12:30- Amazing.- Right, let's go and get changed.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33The best dancers in the world get ready here.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35I'm feeling really nervous.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38I don't want to get stepped on.
0:12:38 > 0:12:39And neither will the boys.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42I'm in a world-famous ballroom.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45Just really happy to be here.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47We are dancing in front of our
0:12:47 > 0:12:50invited audience of friends and family,
0:12:50 > 0:12:53to say thank you for all their support.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57And at last, it's time for us to put on our dresses.
0:12:59 > 0:13:00We've had other situations with them,
0:13:00 > 0:13:03where they've done new things, where there's been a bit of pressure,
0:13:03 > 0:13:06where they've kind of had to take a little moment to gather themselves.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10They might not do it, if they become nervous enough.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12APPLAUSE
0:13:16 > 0:13:18BOTH: Oh, gosh! Here we go!
0:13:18 > 0:13:22MUSIC: Sway by Michael Buble
0:13:44 > 0:13:46BOTH: Wow, we've done it!
0:13:46 > 0:13:49APPLAUSE
0:13:51 > 0:13:54Well done. I think it went really well.
0:13:54 > 0:13:55I am really proud of Imogen.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00- Did good, didn't we? - We did.- We are a good pair.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03Probably enter more competitions and...
0:14:03 > 0:14:05- Win them.- Yeah, we'll win them, hopefully.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12It's fun, because we feel really confident
0:14:12 > 0:14:16and I feel really free... to do anything.