Ashley Banjo: Difference between revisions
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He was born in Leytonstone,London, to his [[Nigerian]] father Foju Banjo, a professional [[boxing|boxer]] and English mother Danielle, a former dancer with [[Ballet dancing]], who now helps with Diversity's management and also runs Danceworks Studios. He went to St Johns School in Billericay.<ref name="mail">{{cite web|author=Claudia Connell |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1189935/Fame-I-want-scientist-Diversitys-lead-dancer-insists-exams-come-first.html |title=Fame? I want to be a scientist! Diversity's lead dancer insists his exams come first|publisher=Dailymail.co.uk |date=2009-06-01 |accessdate=2011-12-04}}</ref> At the time of Diversity's ''Britain's Got Talent'' win, Banjo was studying [[physics]] and [[biology]] at [[Queen Mary, University of London]] having previously attended [[SEEVIC College]].<ref name="mail" /> Banjo has been in a six year relationship with Francesca Abbott, who is a member of another dance troupe called Out of the Shadows. He says that education comes first for him and he wants to be a scientist.<ref name="mail" /><br /> |
He was born in Leytonstone,London, to his [[Nigerian]] father Foju Banjo, a professional [[boxing|boxer]] and English mother Danielle, a former dancer with [[Ballet dancing]], who now helps with Diversity's management and also runs Danceworks Studios. He went to St Johns School in Billericay.<ref name="mail">{{cite web|author=Claudia Connell |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1189935/Fame-I-want-scientist-Diversitys-lead-dancer-insists-exams-come-first.html |title=Fame? I want to be a scientist! Diversity's lead dancer insists his exams come first|publisher=Dailymail.co.uk |date=2009-06-01 |accessdate=2011-12-04}}</ref> At the time of Diversity's ''Britain's Got Talent'' win, Banjo was studying [[physics]] and [[biology]] at [[Queen Mary, University of London]] having previously attended [[SEEVIC College]].<ref name="mail" /> Banjo has been in a six year relationship with Francesca Abbott, who is a member of another dance troupe called Out of the Shadows. He says that education comes first for him and he wants to be a scientist.<ref name="mail" /><br /> |
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Ashley Banjo is an Official Ambassador of the [[United Dance Organisation]].<ref>http://www.udostreetdance.com/weareudo/ambassadors</ref> |
Ashley Banjo is an Official Ambassador of the [[United Dance Organisation]].<ref>http://www.udostreetdance.com/weareudo/ambassadors</ref> |
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Ashley looks and sounds very much like a man, not a boy, despite being under the age of 30. |
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==Diversity== |
==Diversity== |
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Revision as of 20:35, 1 December 2012
 | The topic of this article may not meet Wikipedia's notability guideline for biographies. (February 2012) |
Ashley Banjo | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ashley Modurotolu Banjo[1] 4 October 1988 |
| Occupation(s) | Dancer, television presenter, actor |
| Known for | Diversity |
Ashley Modurotolu Banjo (born 4 October 1988) is an English street dancer, choreographer and actor. He is leader of dance troupe Diversity, who won the third series of Britain's Got Talent. Banjo is also currently a judge on the Sky 1 show Got to Dance.
Personal life
He was born in Leytonstone,London, to his Nigerian father Foju Banjo, a professional boxer and English mother Danielle, a former dancer with Ballet dancing, who now helps with Diversity's management and also runs Danceworks Studios. He went to St Johns School in Billericay.[2] At the time of Diversity's Britain's Got Talent win, Banjo was studying physics and biology at Queen Mary, University of London having previously attended SEEVIC College.[2] Banjo has been in a six year relationship with Francesca Abbott, who is a member of another dance troupe called Out of the Shadows. He says that education comes first for him and he wants to be a scientist.[2]
Ashley Banjo is an Official Ambassador of the United Dance Organisation.[3]
Ashley looks and sounds very much like a man, not a boy, despite being under the age of 30.
Diversity
In 2007, Ashley and his younger brother Jordan formed Swift Moves with nine of their friends, before later changing their name to Diversity. He was given the nickname 'Chosen' by his fellow Diversity members. In their first year together, they won the Street Dance Weekend 2007 competition before deciding to enter Britain's Got Talent.
Britain's Got Talent
In 2009, Diversity won the third series of Britain's Got Talent. All the judges heavily praised their performances throughout the competition, with Ashley's choreography being described by Amanda Holden as "genius". In the final referring to their winning performance, judge Simon Cowell said "If I was going to give marks on that, that is the only performance tonight I would give a 10 to."
After receiving "yes" votes from all three judges in their audition, Diversity went on to compete in the first semi-final on 24 May, losing the public vote-decided first place to Susan Boyle but winning the judges' vote against Natalie Okri. In the final six days later, Diversity were announced as the winners, beating Boyle and Julian Smith (who came second and third respectively).[4][5]
As winners of the competition, Diversity received £100,000 (around £9,900 per member) went on to perform before Queen Elizabeth at the Royal Variety Show on 7 December 2009.[6] Subsequently, Diversity was nominated in the Dance section of the final South Bank Show awards and won an award at the Pride of Britain Awards[7] On the latest tour he pulled a ligament in his leg which made him unable to perform on the last two shows of Diversity's Christmas tour.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Britain's Got Talent | Himself |
| 2010 | StreetDance 3D | Aaron |
| 2010–present | Got To Dance | Judge |
| 2011 | The Real Hustle | Himself |
| 2011 | The Magicians | Himself |
| 2011 | The Apprentice | Himself |
| 2011 | Text Santa | Himself |
| 2012 | Ashley Banjo’s Secret Street Crew | Himself |
| 2012 | The Cube | Himself |
References
- ^ "Search 1837 to 2006 – Birth, Marriage and Death indexes". FindMyPast.com. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
- ^ a b c Claudia Connell (2009-06-01). "Fame? I want to be a scientist! Diversity's lead dancer insists his exams come first". Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-12-04.
- ^ http://www.udostreetdance.com/weareudo/ambassadors
- ^ Smith, Lizzie (31 May 2009). "Dance group Diversity in shock victory over Susan Boyle in Britain's Got Talent final". Daily Mail. Associated Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
- ^ Leach, Ben (30 May 2009). "Diversity beat Susan Boyle to win Britain's Got Talent". The Daily Telegraph. London: Telegraph Media Group. Archived from the original on 2 June 2009. Retrieved 30 May 2009.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "International Business Times". International Business Times. 30 May 2009. Archived from the original on 2 June 2009. Retrieved 30 May 2009.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Diversity nominated in Arts award". BBC News. 7 January 2010. Archived from the original on 14 January 2010. Retrieved 9 January 2010.
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