1984: Breaking lessons for Blue Peter kids
As Breaking makes its debut at the Olympic Games, here’s a look back to 40 years ago with a masterclass on how to do some of its most impressive moves.
The street dance originated in 1970s New York City, but by 1984 it had captured the imaginations of kids across the UK.
In a pre-internet world where inside information was thin on the ground, where better to find out about breakdance moves than to write to Blue Peter for advice?
Fresh from their success at the World Breakdancing Championships in New York, the London All-Star Breakers were on hand to give some expert tuition.
Colin, 13, from Galashiels, wanted to know how to execute the Windmill move, while Andrew, 15, needed information on where to learn more about Breaking in the Chepstow area.
On hand to oversee proceedings were Blue Peter presenters Michael Sundin, who tries some moves, and Janet Ellis, whose pop star daughter Sophie Ellis-Bextor is herself no stranger to the dance floor.