Video: Strictly Diamond Jubilee as Piccadilly Circus becomes ballroom

Saturday, June 2, 2012
9:48 AM

Piccadilly Circus was transformed into a colourful ballroom as dancers wearing Union flag dresses and white tuxedos waltzed and jived to celebrate the Jubilee Family Festival taking place in Hyde Park this weekend.

The event today and tomorrow will be the curtain-raiser for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

It will feature a special Jubilee performance of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing hosted by Craig Revel Horwood.

Winners of Strictly 2010 Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev will partner again while 2011 finalist Chelsee Healey will be partnered with Strictly professional Robin Windsor.

The programme of entertainment also includes The Magic of Disney In Concert, a specially created 70-minute performance that brings together songs, music and characters spanning more than 70 years of animated and live-action Disney films.

There will also be performances from the cast of Billy Elliot the Musical and appearances by the puppets and actors from the National Theatre’s award-winning production of War Horse.

English gentleman on stilts, singing tea ladies, Pearly Kings and Queens, marching bands, face painters and great British food will feature in the festival.

Many favourite brands will be providing additional fun and entertainment with competitions, games and displays.

Visitors to the festival will be able to view the BBC live feed of Jubilee events on giant screens.

Sponsored by Sainsbury’s and organised by Harvey Goldsmith, the festival will be hosted by Myleene Klass and Jon Culshaw.

Tickets priced £20 for adults, £12.50 for under-16s and £52 for a family are available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk or www.seetickets.com