Phil Meacham
Phil started dancing at the age of 4, and almost failed his first dance examination! After this shaky start, he went on to achieve all amateur examinations with constantly highly commended marks before the age of 12. From 9 years old he was also making his name in juvenile competitions, continuing up the competitive ranks until turning professional and qualifying as a dance teacher at the age of 16. Professional competitions continued with an unexpected 5th place in the Professional 10 Dance championships (these days known as the Crystal Palace Cup) followed by two further 5th places in the years that followed.
Phil opened the Chelmsford Dance Centre in 1991, and is active in the dance industry comparing major dance events (including ironically the Crystal Palace Cup with former world Latin champion Karen Hardy) and enjoys judging major competitions in his capacity as Championship International Adjudicator.
He was also chairman of the National Association of Teachers of Dancing, and member of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing and the United Kingdom Alliance and the Ballroom Dancers Federation. Phil retired from competitive dancing in 2002.
Phil currently works closely with a number of professionals involved with the BBC TV show "Strictly Come Dancing", and is also well known as the "BBC Dance Guru" with weekly slots on BBC Essex and also HRC, and Gateway FM.
Recent involvement in Radio and Television has led Phil on a parallel career path as a Radio Presenter, and has been nominated for the HBA Radio Broadcast Awards in March 2008 in two categories, "Best Newcomer" and at the same time is a nominee for the much coveted "Best Male Presenter".
Phil says "Dance has now become my second passion - making way for my greatest passion - my wife Zara and our two wonderful children."