Pineapple Dance star signs up to Walk in the Park

Andrew Stone

Pineapple Dance Studios star Andrew Stone has been named as the final act in the Walk in the Park festival line-up.
Kettering born Andrew will join S-Club, The Real Thing, Curiosity Killed The Cat and X-Factor finalists Diva Fever at the event's Family Night Out on Friday, July 1. This year's Walk In The Park takes place at Wootton Rec over two nights. The Big Family Night Out being followed by a community festival on Saturday, July 2, when local bands get the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of a big audience.
Although Andrew was made famous by his role as a dance teacher on Sky TV show Pineapple Dance Studios, he is also a DJ, singer and West End theatre performer.
He calls himself a 'ready made popstar' and was part of an all-boy tribute band to the Pussycat Dolls called the 'Alley Cat Dogs', but says he left when he was the only one who could dance well enough.
He has also performed alongside Kylie Minogue, Tina Turner and Britney Spears, as well as appearing on London’s West End stage in hit musicals such as Grease and Carousel.
Walk in the Park is run by Wootton and East Hunsbury Parish Council and event chairman Councillor Brandon Eldred said: "We're absolutely delighted to sign up Andrew, we now have a fabulous line-up, and I'm really excited about it all.

"Andrew's name was mentioned time and again by our youth committee, and when we approached him he was really enthusiastic.

"What makes it more exciting, is that so many people I've mentioned him too have been really excited about seeing him live, and having the chance to meet him.

"He's a great character, and of course, he has a local Northamptonshire link, having been born in Kettering, which he's very proud of.

"We've now got a top class line-up, and Walk In The Park 2011 is going to be a fantastic family night out for people from all over the county."

More than 15,000 people flocked to Walk in the Park last year, and organisers are delighted it is now attracting visitors from all over the town and the county.
Tickets for the Friday family extravaganza cost £10 for adults, and £6 for children, until March 31, and then £12 for adults and £6 for children.

A family ticket for four people costs just £26 and tickets can be purchased at http://www.walkintheparkfestival.co.uk/ or via Wootton Community Centre.

Admission on Saturday is free.

* The first round of heats for the 2011 Walk in the Park talent competition took place on Friday (March 18) at Wootton Community & Sports Centre.

Further heats are due to take place on Friday, April 15 and Friday, May 27, before finalists take to the stage at the actual event.