Northampton dancer with Down's syndrome wows social media

  • Published
Nathan Morris and his partner Jo Banham being interviewed by the BBC. They are both wearing yellow outfitsImage source, BBC
Image caption,

Nathan Morris and his partner Jo Banham have been dancing with each other since 2019

A video of a man with Down's syndrome performing a jive with his dance partner has been watched millions of times on social media.

Nathan Morris and Jo Banham train at a dance school in Northampton and did not know they were being recorded at an event in Blackpool, Lancashire.

An Instagram reel of the dance received about 30 million views and more than one million likes within two weeks.

Mr Morris, 26, reached the semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent last year.

"It went a bit mad; a few of the views are from us watching it again and again," said Ms Banham, a pro-dancer who featured on Dancing with the Stars in the Netherlands.

"They took some sneaky recordings. We know they record the festival but we did not know they were recording us and all of our lovely joyful moments."

Image caption,

Nathan Morris and his partner Jo Banham said they love dancing with each other

The short-form video has received more than 10,000 comments, including from BBC Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay and pop singer Nicole Scherzinger.

The pair have been dancing since 2019 and were performing at the Blackpool Champions of Tomorrow competition at the Winter Gardens earlier this month.

BBC Breakfast television audiences were treated to a performance from them over the weekend and Mr Morris revealed he did not get nervous when he takes to the floor, adding: "I am happy when I am dancing."

Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas said the video was "joyful" and told BBC Radio Northampton: "I for sure, would have given you both a 10."

Follow East of England news on Facebook, external, Instagram, external and X, external. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk, external or WhatsApp 0800 169 1830