80-year-old ballet dancer wows on The Greatest Dancer
The UK’s oldest ballerina wowed the judges and viewers on tonight’s (January 19) The Greatest Dancer as she showed off her moves.
80-year-old Barbara Peters donned her leotard for Cheryl, Oti Mabuse and Matthew Morrison, showing off her flexibility as she performed her ballet routine after revealing that she’s been dancing for a whopping 78 years.
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As she took to the performance room, Matthew even told the crowd that they had to put her through, telling them: “This is ridiculous. She’s 80-years-old. This is awesome.”
Of course, Barbara impressed the judges with her amazing flexibility, getting more than 75% percent of votes. The mirror opened and Matthew, Oti and Cheryl were all on their feet as they applauded.
Mrs Peters, who's 80 years old, has inspired @CherylOfficial to take up ballet again. #GreatestDancer pic.twitter.com/uzlKn1MjBQ #greatestdancer
- BBC One (@BBCOne) January 19, 2019
Barbara's dance was so impressive that Cheryl told her that her routine inspired her to get back into ballet after taking up the dance when she was a kid.
"I used to to ballet when I was young. You've inspired me to want to get back into it," she said. "Because if I can get back into ballet and end up looking like you at 80-years-old, job done."
Matthew was so taken by her performance that he even headed up on stage and performed a waltz with the octogenarian.
Missed our 80-year-old Ballet dancer? Watch Mrs Peters wow and get in a cheeky dance with @Matt_Morrison now: https://t.co/SmnBrv3tTg #GreatestDancer pic.twitter.com/lZt3G3rQ1m
- The Greatest Dancer (@GreatDancerTV) January 19, 2019
Speaking to Examiner Live of her audition, Barbara said: “I was a little nervous until I got going but once I'd started it was fine."
Barbara added of the trio of judges: “They didn't make me think that they were looking after an 80-year-old woman. They treated me like they treated everyone else."
And it seems as though she most definitely had viewers on-board as well. Twitter lit up with tweets about the impossibly flexible pensioner, one week after fans were stunned by a deaf performer.
Barbara Peters is proof that it doesn't matter what age you are, you can still accomplish your dreams and inspire others to do so too..what a remarkable and beautiful woman #GreatestDancer
- Emma (@EmmaLou93x) January 19, 2019
Barbara is proof you're never too old to keep doing what you enjoy. #greatestdancer
- Maria Flynn (@MariaFlynnMusic) January 19, 2019
#greatestdancer Ballet is hard So amazing at her age. I hope this inspires older people to take it up. 💕
- Bev (@BevFink) January 19, 2019
Bless @Matt_Morrison for going on to the stage @GreatDancerTV for Barbara it was so cute !!!#GreatestDancer
- Ellena Anastasiades (@dizzyellena) January 19, 2019
Im 34 and my body is knackered cant even walk some days.
Mrs peters is 80 and doing that wow #GreatestDancer @GreatDancerTV- BeaSmiths♥brokenGirl (@EmisonKana) January 19, 2019
I'm 20 and I can't move like that... wow #GreatestDancer
- Beth 🦋 (@Chez_Tops_Kim) January 19, 2019
I loved Mrs Peters 😭😭 #GreatestDancer
- Laura (@LaurzieJayx12) January 19, 2019
I Want To Be Like Barbara Peters When I Grow Up#GreatestDancer
- Pukey (@PukeyCece) January 19, 2019
The Greatest Dancer airs on BBC One.
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