Whatever happened to… Louie Spence?

He’s got the moves

Light-footed Louie Spence, 47, was a fixture on our TV screens in the Noughties – providing us with lots of laughs on reality shows like Pineapple Dance Studios (interspersed with his signature spontaneous dance moves). Born in Enfield in London in 1969, Louie was obsessed with dance from an early age – which set him up well for a future career in dance. In case you’re wondering, his characteristic lisp was the result of a trampoline accident at the age of 12.

An education in showbiz

Determined to become a dancer, Louie’ stated that he ‘high kicked his ass off’ at his local Essex dance school as a child. He was so talented that his parents re-mortgaged their house so he could go to the renowned Italia Conti Stage School. It paid off – because he was starring in the West End’s Bugsy Malone by the age of 13.

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Stage and screen

Louie’ dance career went from strength to strength as he starred in huge stage shows like Miss Saigon and Cats. He was also a dancer on tours for Take That, Boyzone and Bjork – as well as the Spice Girls. Louis said: ‘We spent loads of time with the girls, we stayed at the same hotels as them and we went on private jets with them.’ Glitzy.

A TV fixture

A career in TV beckoned for Lou as he was signed up as a dance mentor on Sky’s Cirque De Celebrite – but it was through cult show Pineapple Dance Studios in 2010 that Louis became a household name. The docu-soap followed Louie at his job at the famous Covent Garden dance school – and was a national obsession. Sadly, it was cancelled after one series after Louie fell out with the studio’s owner, Debbie Moore.

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 Reality bites

Louis was signed up for a judging role on Dancing On Ice in 2011 – with original judge Jason Gardiner dropped from the panel, which the acid-tongued choreographer was said to be ‘furious’ about. Louis departed after just a year – after the show lost millions of viewers, with Jason returning to the panel. But there was more reality telly to come with an appearance on Celebrity Big Brother in 2013. Louis was evicted two days before the finale.

A change of career

Louis is currently focusing on new show Louis Spence: Taxi Driver – where he drives unsuspecting Essex locals around Harlow before inflicting all manner of surprises on them. He lives with his husband – who’s intensely private, and who he’s never named. Louie said: ‘I love where I live, it makes me feel safe. I’m living for now but if it ends tomorrow, I’d still have my flat, husband, family, friends and a great career to look back on.’

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