Dad dance death drop devastates defending champ

Monday 17 September 2018

Two-time World Dad Dancing Champion from the Channel Islands has scuppered his chances of a hat-trick win after injuring himself whilst practicing a dangerous move he’d hoped would secure him the title.

Conrad Gillespie, a 43-year-old man from Guernsey and two-time dad dancing champ was hoping to win the trophy again this year with a move so dangerous it has never been performed in competition.

Conrad had won the international competition in 2015 and 2017, but was unable to retain his title due to a mis-step in rehearsal whilst training for his showstopper move, the Golden Phoenix.

Conrad told Express about the move last week, before his injury: "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."

Pictured: Conrad Gillespie and his two daughters, Laura (aged 7) and Jody (aged 5) at the World Dad Dancing Championship 2017.

But ‘wow factor’ became ‘ow factor’ for this unfortunate dad dancer and Conrad sustained an injury so bad it has prevented him from competing in the competition final, meaning he was unable to retain his title.

However, as consolation for the ambitious dad dancer, he has been appointed Head Judge. He said: “I was dramatically unable to retain my ‘World Dad Dancing Champion’ title, as I was physically injured during the critically complex ‘Golden Phoenix’ manoeuvre in a final training session. However, I was appointed Head Judge, and chuffed to announce the new World Dad Dancing Champion Benjamin Dawson." 

Since being crowned 'World Champion' in September last year, Mr Gillespie had put the Channel Islands on the map as he became 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!"

Pictured: Dad dancer Conrad Gillespie flying the Guernsey flag.

Conrad 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. 

He believes he learnt his moves in the island: "I lived down the west coast and enjoyed surfing, so on a summer’s 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."

The Guernsey flag was flying proudly at the event and Mr Gillespie hopes to return in 2019 to take back the title. He said: "I will be back next year and I'll give it my best shot." 

Top picture: Injured Mr Gillespie with his arm in a sling with new World Dad Dancing champion.