- Ian Waite
Ian Waite is a professional Latin-American
dancer .History
Ian started dancing at the age of 10.
Mary Richardson , a former Latin American champion (and now his stepmother) put him through a rigorous medallist regime. By the age of 14, he had completed all his grades and won almost every competition that he had entered. He went on to the open circuit where he achieved international success by becoming the European Youth Latin American Champion. This started a ten year partnership with Melanie Walker (now Melanie Lane), with whom he competed all over the world, representing England in many world and European championships.He turned professional in 1997 and partnered up with the former Latin American world champion,
Inga Haas . After nine months, they came third in the British Professional Rising Stars [ [http://www.dancesportinfo.net/Couple/Ian_Waite_and_Inga_Haas_49781/Results.aspx "Results of Ian Waite & Inga Haas"] , "Dancesportinfo.net",April 30 2008 ] .He decided to further his dance career by moving to Holland to train with the choreographer and dance coach,
Ruud Vermay . There, he formed a four year partnership withNatalia Panina , with whom he won the Dutch Championship. They also made the final of both the World Showdance Championship and the European Professional Latin American Championship. [ [http://www.dancesportinfo.net/Couple/Ian_Waite_and_Natalia_Panina_2739/Results.aspx "Results of Ian Waite & Natalia Panina"] , "Dancesportinfo.net",April 30 2008 ] He went onto dance withDaisy Croes , from Belgium, who now appears on the Belgian version of "Strictly Come Dancing ".After five years in Holland he returned to home. By the summer of 2004, he had started to dance with
Camilla Dallerup . Their first competition was the International Championships at theRoyal Albert Hall , where they made the semi final and in November of that year, they made the final of theBritish National Dance Championships .Waite lives in Lower Earley in
Berkshire , and has expanded his career involving lecturing, demonstration dancing and big spectaculars. He has also made a dance video withAngela Rippon and presented a documentary called 'Inside Out' for BBC South following the progress of a young couple from Bournemouth.trictly Come Dancing
He has competed in four series of the
BBC 's "Strictly Come Dancing". He was runner-up in 2004 with athleteDenise Lewis , and third in 2005 with presenterZoe Ball . He departed the competition in the second week in 2006, with his celebrity partnerMica Paris . For Series 5 in 2007, his partner wasRod Stewart 's wife Penny Lancaster Stewart They left the competition in week six after dancing the salsa. Waite standing around 6ft 3 inch (190cm) prefers to dance with taller women. Penny Lancaster at 6ft 1 inch stands around 6 ft 4 inch in heels.In the 2006 Christmas Special, he was reunited with
Zoe Ball . They finished runners up behindColin Jackson andErin Boag .trictly Come Dancing Performance
External links
* [http://www.ian-waite.com Ian Waite's website]
References
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
