Pamela has the ‘Time of Her Life’ on TV dance show

Oct 30 2008 by Sandra Walls, Hamilton Advertiser

AN Ashgill dancer’s talents are currently being highlighted in a TV competition.

Twenty-three-year-old Pamela Smith is one of 20 up-and-coming dancers who come together in a dancefloor duel in the Living TV series ‘Dirty Dancing - the time of your life’.

The show is based on the 1987 smash hit film and musical ‘Dirty Dancing’ in which characters Baby and Johnny were made famous by Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze.

As the couples set about reliving the memorable union of Baby and Johnny, they will be accompanied by some of the dancing industry’s most successful experts, who put them through their paces every week.

Whichever couple is deemed weakest will then say goodbye, missing out on a chance to secure the year-long contract with acclaimed global dance agency Bloc, whose alumni include singer/dancers Justin Timberlake, Madonna and Christina Aguilera, as well as last year’s series winners Amy Boyes and Jordan Darrell.

Pamela, from Andrew Baxter Avenue, is the only Scottish girl in the 10-week Living TV production, which goes on air every Wednesday night at 9pm.

Mum Carol (48) last saw her daughter two weeks ago, during a short break between performances.

She said this week: “The family have been following Pamela’s progress, and she is going from strength-to-strength every week.

“She’s had great feedback from the judges so far and with only three weeks left to the final dance-off, we all hope she goes all the way.”

Pamela is no stranger to performing on television, in 2006 she danced her way through to week six in Strictly Dance Fever. She was a backing dancer for the 2007 X-Factor contestants Beverly Trottman during her performance of ‘I Will Survive.’

Pamela also danced with fellow Scot Leon Jackson during his version of ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’.

This year, Dirty Dancing The Time of Your Life, which kicked off on September 10, is judged by actress and TV presenter Kelly Brook and returning judges Sean Cheesman and Miranda Garrison who also starred as Vivien in the original Dirty Dancing movie.

The finalists will re-create the moves to the nostalgic (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life, providing an exhilarating climax to the competition.

Pamela started dancing professionally at 17 and has since received a BA (HONS) in Dance from Edinburgh University.

She has also performed in La Dolce Vita and in a Latin Show in Dubai choreographed by the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ team.

Last week, Pamela and partner James won the dance off, which boosted their confidence and determination.

She added: “Regardless of the final outcome I’ve made fantastic life-long friends and had ‘the time of my life’ filming the series.”