by Alan Jacques
LIMERICK teenager Paul Roche proved he has all the best moves after being crowned Disco Kid World Champion at the home of BBC’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.
Paul, from Ballinacurra Weston, shook it up at the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool last weekend to fend off sure-footed talent from 20 countries across the globe. The fourth year St Clement’s College student, triumphed after a gruelling three-day competition in the under-16 category.
Paul, a member of the West End Youth Centre in Ballinacurra Weston, came through four heats that demanded incredible focus and composure under pressure. During the final dance-off he had just 60 seconds to impress the judges with a one-off routine. Limerick’s answer to ‘Billy Elliot’ has been walking on air since his big victory.
“I still can’t believe I’ve won. This is my third time at these championships and the competition has always been so tough,” said Paul.
“When I arrived home to Weston on Monday, I was exhausted but there was a huge party organised by my family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, everyone was there. Everyone wanted to see the trophy and hold it up. I barely got to see it myself,” he revealed.
Paul’s dance teacher Eilish McCarthy proudly hailed the 15-year-old as “one of the top dancers in the country”.
“I had a feeling going over to England that this would be Paul’s year. He has been so close in the past that it was only a matter of time before he got his breakthrough. Hopefully this win will put Paul on the map as there is so little awareness out there around the quality of young Irish dancers,” Eilish commented.
