Mia Linnik-Holden and Andrei Toader at Blackpool Junior Dance Festival

Mia Linnik-Holden

Mia Linnik-Holden and Andrei Toader performed at the Junior Blackpool Dance Festival from 17-21 April).

The dedicated dancers, aged just 14, were consistently placed between first and eighth place in the junior categories (ages 12-16), improving on last year’s results.

On the first day of the contest, the Middleton couple maintained their 2016 win, again placing first in the North of England Junior Ballroom category, dancing the Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango and Quickstep. They also placed second of 145 entries in the Junior Viennese Waltz on the same day.

On the second day, they placed third of 180 in the 12-16 Junior Samba.

They placed fifth of 150 entrants in the British Junior Open Ballroom Championship on Wednesday; up from their 16th position last year.

They finished just three marks outside of the final in eighth place in the British Junior Open Latin Championship of 190 entrants, drastically improving on their 32nd place ranking from 2016. They danced the Cha-cha-cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive.

Mia said their performance at Blackpool was "a dream come true".

She continued: “This Blackpool has been the best; I have always dreamed of doing so well and that dream came true.

“A big thank you to my dearest partner, Andrei Toader for putting up with me for nearly two years, and, most importantly, a great big thank you to our parents for running us up the country, driving us everywhere to be the best we can be. I love you so much Maxine Holden, Lee Dearden, and of course, Nana San for all the hard work you’ve put into me and Andrei.

“A massive thank you to our coaches, you’re our heroes. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us throughout our journey, including our sponsors, Chrisanne Clover for my amazing dresses, Pure Class for Andrei’s tails and Latin outfits, he always looks perfect, Ray Rose for our shoes, Mis Grace for my beautiful gowns, Dance Cos for my tan and Ballroom Bling for my stunning jewellery.”

Mia added: “We couldn't have done it without you.”

The talented duo will also feature in upcoming 5Star documentary series ‘Baby Ballroom’ on Thursday (27 April), which will follow the lives of several child ballroom dancers in the UK.

Addressing the programme, Mia’s mum, Maxine Holden said: “We were real and genuine on the programme. I really hope that comes across and people can see we are nice families who love Andrei and Mia, and what we are all working for is their dream.”

Mia began dancing at the age of six after asking her parents for lessons. She has danced with Andrei, who is from Romania, since May 2015, and they have risen fast in the junior Latin and ballroom ranks.

Last year, the dancers were ranked amongst the top 10 worldwide in the U19 Ballroom dance at the World Dance Championships in Paris, just months after they became the Gateway Super League Junior Champions Ballroom and Latin champions and placing second at the Bournemouth Masters U16 Ten Dance Championships.

Previous accomplishments include UK Close U14 Ballroom and Latin Champions, Dutch Open WDC UK U14 Ballroom and Latin Finalists, International U14 Finalists, WDC U14 World Ballroom Champions, U14 World Latin Vice Champions and British National U16 Ballroom and Latin Finalists, placing third in Ballroom and fourth in Latin.

Mia and Andrei are also looking for sponsorship to help with their demanding schedule.

Maxine added: “Any backing or financial help would be fantastic.”