Jennifer Ellison On The Pushy Parents Behind Dance Mums UK

Dance Moms, the smash hit US series following talented young dancers and their ultra-driven mothers is cult viewing in the US.

And now we’re about to see just how ambitious UK mums are, with the launch of a British version of the show – Dance Mums With Jennifer Ellison.

One of Jennifer Lawrence’s favourite shows, millions tune in to cringe at moms who’ll do ANYTHING to get their daughters to the top so we can’t wait to see how their British counterparts compare.

Unsurprisingly Jennifer Ellison, who fronts the show, gets irked by the "many people who think I’m just a glamour model."

Or those who still see her as ‘that girl from Brookside’ 11 years after quitting the Scouse soap.

But take a closer look at the 31-year-old mum-of-three’s CV and it’s understandable.

“I’ve done a Hollywood movie, West End shows and have all these championship dance titles,” Jennifer reminds us when we speak to her ahead of her new programme’s launch.

“That’s why I’m so excited about my new TV series – it’s going to be amazing for me to get that out there.”

Dance Mums With Jennifer Ellison hits British screens on Monday and promises to make for explosive viewing as Jen tries to handle fame-crazy, egotistical parents and their, in some cases, talented offspring. It’s a world she’s all too familiar with.

“I lived and breathed dance as a child,” she reveals. “I started training from the age of three and was doing seven nights a week and five hours a day at weekends."

“I was world international ballet and modern champion, English champion, National champion – that was my life.

“Mum actually wanted me to be a horse rider but I’d end up in hospital with concussion so she had to give up on that idea! She definitely had elements of being a pushy parent. Once she realised that I had a gift for dance she did push it.

“I remember I’d qualified for the British championship finals but was covered in chicken pox and wouldn’t have been allowed to compete so she smuggled me in. She got me changed in the toilets rather than the dressing room, caked me in calamine lotion and sent me on. But I won!”

Jennifer, mum to sons Bobby, four, Harry, one, and new baby Charlie, puts dancers as young as eight through their paces at her Liverpool based dance academy on the show but still doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to her training methods.

“With students who want a career in this industry you can’t wrap them in cotton wool,” she insists.

“Yes the dance world and competition scene can be bitchy but children are generally protected. However once they start auditioning it’s no holds barred. People at West End auditions don’t hold back, they don’t censor or dilute things, so neither can I.

“I remember my audition for Roxie in Chicago was really tough. You have recall after recall after recall and when you get knockbacks you just have to pick yourself up and go again.

“So when my girls start crying if I turn around and correct them I tell them to sort themselves out and toughen up.”

Big characters to look out for on Dance Mums include Charlotte, mum to dancer Sam, and outspoken mum-of-five Danielle whose daughter Aleah is new to the dance scene. Bearing this in mind it could be said she’s slightly deluded about her little girl’s ability – but how does Jennifer keep such mums in check?

“It’s difficult to be honest and at times Danielle was banished from the dance studio,” she admits. "As a performer with the credentials I’ve got I’d never been treated with no respect before and sometimes the mums pushed me to my limit.

“Some of them spoke to me like I was a piece of rubbish, disrespected me, called me names which I’m not used to at all. On one episode I actually wanted to walk out.

“I almost found myself stooping to their level and getting into slanging matches. That was kind of annoying to me personally for letting them get the better of me.

“I can spot a pushy parent a mile off. As soon as I meet them I know who’s going to be difficult, they’re just in your face straight away telling you that their daughter’s fantastic.

“Some of them spend literally thousands of pounds a year on dance training because it’s what they love to do. I was the same though, when I was in the competitions my dad, a taxi driver, did every extra shift going to pay for my costumes and entrance fees.”

Jennifer also found the filming process for Dance Mums tough as she was heavily pregnant with ‘surprise baby’ Charlie, but trying to hide it from the girls and their mums.

“I was really tired but it was a case of having to get on with it,” she explains. “I didn’t want anyone treating me differently and while I think a few of them had an idea nobody spoke to me about my bump.

“I’d be happy if my boys want to go into showbusiness, although it’s not something I want to push them into. Bobby’s a really good little actor but has no rhythm while Harry’s very musical. It’s kind of watch this space!”

As for the next few months, Jennifer plans to stay at home with Charlie as well as launching her performing arts academy across the country and a dancewear range to boot.

“It’s very busy,” she laughs. “I’m really excited to see how Dance Mums is received as well of course. I’d love to do another series.”

Dance Mums With Jennifer Ellison starts Monday, October 20, at 9pm on Lifetime (Sky 156/ Virgin 242/ TalkTalk 490)

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