Erin the Dancer
Erin's Life In Dance
It's hats off to Erin Boag, the only female dancer to compete in ten series of the BBC phenomenon ‘Strictly Come Dancing’!
From competing internationally, appearing on our screens or passing on her passion for dance to the next generation of stars and dance enthusiasts, Erin has made her mark as one of the most highly respected female ballroom dancers since Ginger Rogers.
Read about Erin’s life in dance...

The Early Years
Erin took her first dancing steps at the age of 3 when she was taken along to her older brother’s dance class. Unable to sit still in her buggy, she was allowed to get out and join in the fun – those first steps setting her on her way toward an illustrious career in dance.
Her connection with dance was made firm in those early years, Erin quickly becoming hooked and studying a range of forms including Ballet, Jazz Ballet, Disco, Tap and of course Ballroom and Latin. Of them all, it was Ballroom that won her heart.
At 15 she visited Australia to watch a high profile ballroom competition – a turning point in Erin’s life and an experience to set her firmly on the path to becoming a professional dancer. Proving to be a fast learner, just three years later Erin became the New Zealand Ballroom and Latin 10 Dance Amateur Champion. She was a fast mover too: in 1994, following her dreams, she moved from her home and family in New Zealand to further her career in Australia… to then make the even bigger move around the world to the UK just 18 months later.
“I just couldn’t sit still in my buggy so I got out and danced... and I just didn’t stop!”



Erin & Anton
Erin met Anton Du Beke in 1997 and the couple quickly began to cut a dash through the dancing world. Within a year of forming their partnership they won the New Zealand Championships in 1998… and again the year after. In 1998 they also made it to the prestigious International Dance Championships at the Royal Albert Hall – an event Erin still holds as being one of the most emotional and memorable moments of her career.
After escalating the Amateur rankings, Anton and Erin turned professional in 2002 and placed 3rd in the UK in their first professional competition in Blackpool. Numerous wins and accolades followed as they worked the competition circuit, prestigious achievements including:
- IDTA Classic Championships 2003 and 2004
- BDF Star Ball finalist 2003
- British National Finalist 2002, 2003 and 2004
- UK and International Rising Star finalist 2003
- UBC Canadian champion.
Their talent, sparkle and personalities captured the imagination of the BBC in 2004 when they were invited to take part in the first series of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’… and have appeared in ten of the eleven series together (Anton still appearing, Erin leaving the show after series ten to start a family). The pair are delighted that ballroom dancing is no longer seen as a relic of a bygone era and that the general public have taken ‘Strictly’ – and ballroom dancing – to heart.
Regularly performing live in shows, events and tours, Erin & Anton dazzle with their charm, wit and ballroom magic, transporting audiences back in time to an age of elegance and romance. From their sell-out tours, dance breaks & weekends to a wide variety of corporate and private events, they’re a pair of consummate entertainers, and as such in great demand.
Household names, dance icons and national treasures, Erin & Anton are undoubtedly the most respected and recognisable couple in ballroom dancing today.
Strictly come dancing
Erin's Strictly Hall of Fame
Erin is the only female dancer to have competed in ten series of the the BBC's hit phenomenon 'Strictly Come Dancing' - see all her celebrity partners here in her Strictly Hall Of Fame!
“I’m so thrilled to have been a part of the show from the beginning, back in 2004. I’ve been very lucky with my dance partners – they've all been wonderful, whether they can dance or not. I’ve not clashed with anyone yet and still stay in contact with them all – I’ve had the time of my life!”
Erin
