Guernsey man to defend World Dad Dancing title tomorrow

Friday 14 September 2018

The World Dad Dancing Championships take place tomorrow with Guernsey born Conrad Gillespie flying the island flag, vowing to defend his title having been crowned the winner in 2017.

The competition, in Devon, has been running for four years as part of 'Dad Fest,' which is a 3 day festival exclusively for fathers and their children to enjoy time together; the highlight each year being the 'World Dad Dancing Championship'.

Mr Gillespie, 43, will take to the dance floor along with more than 70 other competitors tomorrow night and he told Express that he had been preparing all year: "I have been training hard over the summer and dancing doing everyday chores like hedge trimming and mowing the lawn. I also do some exaggerated dance moves when picking up my kids scattered toys and these actions become the inspiration for new dance moves."

"This year I am hoping to win with a dance move so dangerous I have not yet performed it in public, I will be introducing it on Saturday. It is called the Golden Phoenix and is a hybrid of ballet, breakdancing, funk, salsa and Morris dancing never attempted in competition. I think that in order to win you have to have the wow factor and try to attempt dad moves people have never seen before."

Mr Gillespie is not just relying on his moves, he knows that the judges will be looking at his clothing too: "As defending champion I will certainly have to up the ante this year and as such I have a new outfit that I will be revealing on the night. I have kept it under wraps but the plan is to explode onto the dance floor and really create a wow factor from the start."

Pictured: Conrad in his outfit last year.

Since being crowned 'World Champion' in September, Mr Gillespie says he has been putting the Channel Islands on the map as he has become somewhat of a media celebrity: "I have been overwhelmed by the interest in 'DadFest' and the 'World Dad Dancing Championships'. I have been on Sky News, the Chris Evans breakfast show and The One Show to name just a few. I am really proud of my heritage and always mention that I come from Guernsey and that is where I first developed my dancing skills!"

Mr Gillespie said: "I won in 2015 with a move called 'the confused swan', but was pipped at the post by another grooving guy in 2016, so I was determined to gain the trophy in 2017. Last year I returned like a phoenix from the flames. I did a few moves like 'the lawnmower' and the 'rusty robot', but I think it was my 'caterpillar' that won it for me."

The winner is decided by a panel of children, but Mr Gillespie says his own children cringe: "I have two daughters; Lara aged 8 and Jody aged 5, who really enjoy the festival and spending time with me, but when it comes to the dancing they are a little embarrassed! Last year they were uncomfortable watching my moves and slightly sheepish when I won, however I think they are starting to embrace it and are definitely looking forward to the weekend."

Pictured: Conrad Gillespie with daughters; Lara aged 8 (holding the trophy) and Jody aged 5

Mr Gillespie grew up in Guernsey and went to Castel primary and the Grammar schools. He returned to the island after University where he worked at Specsavers before going travelling and eventually settling in Devon with his wife and two daughters:  

"I lived down the west coast and enjoyed surfing, so on a summers day you would see me walking to the beach in just my shorts with my board under my arm. I am sure many of my current 'dad moves' were cultivated on the island with the 'dungeon disco' at Beau Sejour a firm favourite in my teens!."

With entrants from the UK and Europe, Mr Gillespie says the competition is like 'Eurovision' for dad dancing: "We welcome anyone from the world and as the organisation has copyright on the name anyone wishing to be world champion at dad dancing would have to attend our event. I will be carrying the Guernsey flag onto the stage at the competition, I am a Guern through and through and will be doing it for Guernsey hoping to put the island on the dancing map."

Details of DadFest and the 'World Dad Dancing Championships', can be found here.

Pictured main image: Conrad Gillespie flying the Guernsey flag.