Salma's students to star in TV special

Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), Dec 22, 2005

Byline: Katie campling ,

Showtime The Coronation Street pantomime cast (below) will be joined by Bollywood dancers (above, from left) Hamira Shah, Fakhra Shah and Salma Zaman Dancing in the Street

DANCERS from a Huddersfield academy are to appear alongside soap's superstars!

They will appear in a special pantomime presented by the cast of ITV's Coronation Street on Boxing Day.

Salma Zaman, founder and artistic director of the Bollywood Dance and Fitness Academy, will join three of her pupils - Hamira Shah, Fakhra Shah and Fahreen Fazal - in the show.

Producers contacted Salma because they needed three dancers for a scene featuring the Street's corner shop tycoon Dev Alahan (Jimmi Harkishin).

Salma, of Fixby, said: "I can't give too much away but it is part of the plot surrounding Dev's lifestyle - he's been a naughty boy lately."

Salma set up the academy, which is based at the Galpharm Stadium, in April this year.

Students sign up for a 12-week course covering different dance styles - bhangra, Turkish Arabic belly dance, and street jazz dance.

Lessons are available in Bollywood, dance used in the Indian film industry, and Lollywood, the Pakistani version.

The academy also runs Bollywood and bhangra aerobic sessions plus dancing and acting Bollywood style.

Salma has been dancing since she was five and has always had a career in dance.

She takes pupils as young as seven at her academy, but most are adults. For the Coronation Street job, she had to pick three dancers aged over 16.

She said: "I chose Fahreen, Hamira and Fakhra because they learn very quickly and have a special something. I felt they could take the challenge on and they did. They were totally professional."

Salma and her dancers regularly appear at events such as melas and perform in schools.

They have even appeared on TV news shows, but she said performing with the Coronation Street stars was something different.

"It is the longest running soap we have. It was a huge privilege and honour to be asked to appear.

"We couldn't believe it. We will all be watching it on Boxing Day and recording it on video!"

The characters from the nation's most famous street don their costumes for a chaotic, hour-long version of Cinderella.

Frankie Baldwin (Debra Stephenson) plays the title role, with estranged hubby Danny (Bradley Walsh) doing his best to be her Prince Charming.

Meanwhile, a host of characters from other festive productions get mixed up in proceedings.

Bev Unwin (Susie Blake) spreads her wings and waves her wand as the Fairy Godmother and Sean Tully (Anthony Cotton) sees his wishes come true as he plays Aladdin.

Street babe Sarah Platt (Tina O'Brien) is playing the role of sexy Lady Lou Hardup, while busybodies Norris Cole (Malcolm Hebden) and Roy Cropper (David Neilson) will camp it up as the Ugly Sisters.

Debra said: "The pantomime is going to be such a great way to celebrate everything that is Christmas."

Coronation Street series editor Gareth Phillips said: "The panto is our way of thanking our viewers for keeping us at the top of the ratings."

Anyone who wants to try a free taster session at Salma Zaman's academy should contact her by phone on 07979067011 or email SAPA_SALMAZAMAN@ hotmail.co.uk.