Kimberley Walsh returned to Bradford’s Alhambra Theatre, where she made her first stage appearance aged eight, for a show in honour of her former dance teacher.
The singer, who shot to fame with Girls Aloud, was the special guest at One Night Only on Saturday night, featuring Shipley’s DM Academy, the Zumba Bradford Belles, Dance United and South Asian dancers Thillana.
Former DM Academy pupils from as far as Australia returned to appear in the show, celebrating the 50th birthday of principal Deana Morgan and raising funds for The Haven, which provides therapies to help people deal with cancer. Deana was treated there when diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 and her former pupil Kimberly is an ambassador for the charity.
Kimberley, who arrived at the Alhambra accompanied by her mum and grandma, greeted Deana with a hug on the red carpet and was presented with flowers by young dancer Poppy Rose Scott.
“This is a huge thing Deana has done, pulling together this show for The Haven,” said Kimberley, 31, who grew up in Sandy Lane.
“It’s quite emotional for me to be back at the Alhambra where I did my first ever show. My mum’s a bit tearful, she remembers picking me up at the stage door. It’s such a beautiful theatre and it’s great seeing so many old faces, it’s a very nostalgic night.
“Deana taught me so much. She gave me my first pair of tap shoes – which I’ve still got!”
Deana said: “Cancer changed my life. What better way to mark my milestone birthday than raising awareness of The Haven? I’m thrilled that Kimberley is here to share it with me.”
Kimberley’s solo projects have included TV presenting, appearing in the films Horrid Henry and All Stars and starring as Princess Fiona in Shrek the Musical in the West End.
She was a finalist on last year’s Strictly Come Dancing and released a solo album, Centre Stage.
Earlier this year Girls Aloud’s reunion tour ended with the shock announcement of their split. When asked if the girls would work together again, Kimberley said: “Who knows? Right now we all have our own careers. I want to get back to my roots; doing more musical theatre and straight drama.”
As a teenager in 1999, Kimberley won DM Academy’s first Dancer of the Year award.
This autumn the former Beckfoot School pupil is to release her autobiography.
“It starts at the beginning – Deana gets a few mentions. She’s a huge inspiration,” she said. Hosted by Kimberley’s sister, Amy Walsh, One Night Only featured a tribute to Kimberley, with young soloists performing numbers from Shrek.
Deana took to the stage for an elegant ballroom routine with former pupil Joshua Barwick and an impressive Chicago medley. She was joined on stage by Kimberley for an emotional finale.