Hot Gossip dance star Roy Gayle limbers up to lead thousands of Walkers at iconic MoonWalk London challenge!

Roy Gayle leading the warm-up at The MoonWalk London

Hot Gossip dance star, Roy Gayle, from Barnes, London, is preparing to lead thousands of women and men in a mass warm-up before they take on the iconic midnight Marathon, The MoonWalk London, on Saturday 11^th May.  

Roy Gayle was discovered in the 1970’s by legendary choreographer, Arlene Phillips. After spending years entertaining millions of people as part of the iconic dance troupe, Hot Gossip, performing alongside stars including singer Sarah Brightman, Roy went on to become a British Aerobics Champion, competing internationally.

The 22nd MoonWalk London will see walkers wearing decorated bras as they take on the challenge which starts and finishes at Clapham Common.

This will mark the 19^th year that Roy Gayle has lead the warm-up at The MoonWalk London, which over the years has seen him help more than 300,000 women and men limber up before setting off on their half or full Marathon. This year’s event has a disco-theme, so it very apt for Roy, who enjoyed dancing at discos from a young age.

Roy Gayle said: “My parents couldn’t afford to pay for me to go to dance school, so I’d go to discos where I could dance seven nights a week instead.

“When I was about 17, I joined an American Jazz dance class. Arlene Phillips took some of the professional classes at the Centre and came to watch me dance. She approached me to join the cabaret group she was putting together and I became part of ‘Hot Gossip’! Around the same time, Kenny Everett was looking for a rival group to Pans People who were the Top of the Pops dancers. Before long, we were performing on Kenny Everett’s ‘The Video Show’.

Another highlight of my career was working on The Generation Game with Jim Davidson. I advised on all the dance aspects of the various games, choreographing some of the routines – it was great fun. 

I absolutely love The MoonWalk and everything it does to raise awareness and money to fight breast cancer.  I wear a decorated bra every year and I love getting in the swing of things!

I can’t wait for the event this year – the disco theme is going to be great. I’ve already got a few song choices up my sleeve – think Earth, Wind and Fire, ‘Boogie Wonderland’, and ‘Ain’t no stopping us now’, they are all on the list!”

Walk the Walk has raised more than £128 million since 1996, and as a grant making charity has funded both research into breast cancer and helped improve the lives of those living with cancer now.

Don’t miss The MoonWalk London, Saturday 11^th May. Power Walk through the Capital at Midnight wearing a decorated bra, as you raise money and awareness for breast cancer charity, Walk the Walk. Sign up now: www.walkthewalk.org

To download free to use photos of Roy Gayle click here

To arrange an interview with Roy Gayle, or for any other media enquiries please contact:

Claire Duncan         [email protected]g                01483 741430

Jen Broh                 [email protected]              01483 741430

  Notes to Editors:

     The MoonWalk London 2019

• Saturday 11^th May 2019, Clapham Common
• Two walking challenges are available: Half Moon (13.1 + 2 miles) or Full Moon (26.2 miles)
• This year’s theme is “Disco Inferno”
• All participants must be aged 13 and over to take part
• The cost of entering the Half Moon and Full Moon is £49.50
• Walkers are asked to raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship
• Entries are open at walkthewalk.org
• Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive, set up and now runs Walk the Walk Worldwide.

Walk the Walk

• Walk the Walk specialises in fitness and Power Walking challenges.
• HRH The Prince of Wales is the official Patron of Walk the Walk.
• Walk the Walk has so far raised in excess of £128 million.
• As a grant-making charity, all funds are raised for Walk the Walk and then granted to where the charity feels they will do the most good.
• Walk the Walk funds are granted to projects that not only support research, important to all our future health, but also support a variety of projects that are supporting cancer patients now throughout the UK.
• To date grants have been made to charities and organisations throughout the UK including Breast Cancer Now, The Breast Cancer Haven, Penny Brohn UK and hundreds of NHS Hospitals and Trusts for which we supply Scalp Cooling Systems.
• The charity also has a community grant fund which each year grants to smaller organisations. Helen Rollason Cancer Charity, Tenovus Cancer Care, The Christie, Cancer Kin, FACT and others, all receive funds which enable them to continue their work.
• Over 2,000 Volunteers will be required to help at The MoonWalk London.
• ‘The MoonWalk’ is the flagship event of the charity currently held in London, Scotland and Iceland.