Middleton dance champions end 2021 with two more titles

Mia Linnik-Holden and Andrei Toader at the 2021 Blackpool Dance Festival

Middleton’s world dance champions Mia Linnik-Holden, 18, and Andrei Toader, 19, have ended 2021 with two championship titles at the British National Championships in Blackpool.

The pair were crowned champions of the North of England amateur ballroom and U21 youth British national ballroom in the November competition, which displays the best British ballroom and Latin dancing over three days.

The teenagers, who also placed fifth in the amateur ballroom category, said: “This Nationals [contest] will stay in our hearts forever. The highlight of our week was the immediate standing ovation at the end of an electric amateur final. We will never be able to describe the emotions we felt, so thank you so much to everyone.

“We want to firstly thank our parents and team for your dedication and support for us; without you, it wouldn't be possible to be where we are now. Also thank you very much to our coaches and sponsors for constantly helping us perform and look better on that ballroom floor.

“Lastly, thank you to all of our supporters and audience who cheered us on and created the best atmosphere for us to dance in, you really helped us push until the last second of that Viennese Waltz in the last event.”

Mia and Andrei, who is originally from Romania, have continued to top the dance scene since rising to the youth ranks in 2018. They first became junior world champions after their partnership began in May 2015, racking up numerous titles in both the junior ballroom and Latin ranks.