Strictly superstar to lead world record salsa dancing charity challenge at the AO Arena

TV dancing sensation Graziano Di Prima is calling for dancers of all abilities to join him at Manchester’s AO Arena in an attempt to break the world record for the largest number of people taking part in a salsa dance lesson.

If you’re in the mood for some Salsa in Manchester to warm up, click here

The Big Salsa Dance at the AO Arena

The Big Salsa Dance takes place on 16 February 2024 in aid of Child Bereavement UK, a charity that supports children, young people, parents and families, when a child grieves or when a child dies.

The charity hopes to raise £140,000 to support its work with bereaved families in Manchester and the North West.

Raising money for Child Bereavement UK

Graziano and his wife Giada Lini will be leading dancers in a 30-minute salsa dance lesson culminating in a 3-minute performance.

The event is a fun opportunity for dancers of all levels to get together for what promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The event, kindly supported by Hurst Dance Studios, includes entertainment from surprise guests and the chance to practise your salsa and Latin moves to a fantastic live band.

And one lucky person will win the opportunity for a private meet and greet with Graziano, Giada and friends.

If you don’t want to join the record attempt, you can still join in as a spectator before being invited down to the floor to enjoy the entertainment and live music.

Graziano is keen to support the work of Child Bereavement UK, a charity which is close to his heart, having experienced bereavement personally:

“I am really looking forward to working with Child Bereavement UK and hoping we can get the record for the largest salsa class. The charity is close to my heart as I am a twin but sadly my brother died when we were born. He is always with me.”

You can get your tickets for this amazing event by clicking here

Tickets for The Big Salsa Dance

Participants must be aged over 18 or over 16 if accompanied by a parent or guardian.

To find out more please visit their website by clicking here

About Graziano di Prima

Sicilian-born Graziano Di Prima, at the age of 10 became the Italian Latin Champion and joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2018.

He was partnered with Capital FM’s Vick Hope for his first year and together they made it to Week 5 of the competition.

In 2019, he gained an army of fans as he danced with his best friend Johannes Radebe in the first same-sex dance on the show. He also danced with Chizzy on the Strictly Christmas Special.

In the 2020 Strictly season, Graziano took centre stage in many of the music acts and group numbers. In 2021, he partnered Loose Women Judi Love and reached Week 7 before winning the Strictly Christmas Special with Pop star Anne-Marie.

In the 2022 season, he reached Week 11 with presenter and actress Kym Marsh.

Their Argentine Tango scored them 10’s and dancing at Blackpool with a partner was a dream come true. He has also toured with two Strictly The Professionals Tours across the UK.

Before Strictly, as well as competing for his home country, Graziano represented Belgium at the World Championships and made the top 24 of the Latin World Championships (under 21).

In 2014/15 He danced in the most prominent TV talent show of dance in Italy called “Amici di Maria De Filippi”.

Graziano has also toured around the world with the dance company Burn The Floor and made his West End Debut with the show in 2016 at the Peacock Theatre.

He appeared with fellow Strictly Dancer Artem Chigvintsev on E4’s Celebrity Coach Trip – making the final show. He has also toured the UK with his own tour, Havana Nights, with his fiance Giada Lini and returned to the West End in Here Come The Boys.

They were fortunate to tour the UK with the show as well, only taking a few days off to fly home to Italy to get married.
Their stunning star studded wedding was on the cover of OK! Magazine.

Graziano is also a regular on BBC Morning Live doing Strictly Fitness.

Other TV shows include Loose Women, BBC Breakfast, Steph’s Packed Lunch, This Morning, The One Show among many others.

In 2024, he will be touring the UK with his own show ‘Believe!’ A dream come true.

He would like to thank Paul Morrissey and his team for believing in him!

About Giada Lini

Giada Lini is an Italian dancer from Venice.

She won the Italian Showdance Championships 9 times and represented Italy at the World Showdance Championships in Germany.

She was also a Finalist in the “Freestyle Latin” representing Italy at the World Championships in China in 2013 and 2014.

She worked for three years in Italy as a professional Latin American dancer for the prime-time TV show called ‘Amici’ hosted by Maria De Filippi.

She has been part of “Burn the Floor” since 2014 performing in London’s West End as well as touring Australia, UK and Japan and performing in the musical “Legally Blonde”.

Since 2018, Giada can often be seen on BBC’s “Strictly Come Dancing” on Blackpool and Musicals week.

In 2020, she toured the UK alongside her fiancé Graziano Di Prima with their own tour Havana Nights. 

She has been part of “Here Come the Boys” West End cast performing at the London Palladium.

In 2021, 2022 and 2023 she was a Professional Dancer on the well known TV SHOW “Ballando con le stelle” the Italian version of “DANCING WITH THE STARS”.

Giada will be starring alongside her husband Graziano Di Prima  in the UK tour of “BELIEVE” in 2024.