Diversity

In May 2009 Diversity took the UK by storm by winning Britain’s Got Talent, beating Susan Boyle in front of a 20 million live TV audience, in what was the most watched TV program in these UK for over six years. In 2010 the group performed live to over 300,000 people. They have performed in the royal variety performance, were the first dance act to perform on top of the pops and the first ever performers to perform outside No.10 Downing Street for the Prime Minister.

Formed in 2007, in memory of a dear friend, the dance troupe consists of eleven members from East London and the Essex area. Diversity are one big family, made up of three sets of brothers ranging in age from 13-26: Ashley and Jordan Banjo, Ian, Jamie and Matthew McNaughton, Sam and Mitchell Craske. They are complemented by four of their best friends: Terry Smith, Ike Ezekwugo, Warren Russell and Perri Luc Kiely.

Ashley the group’s leader and choreographer has been dancing since he was just 5 years old, he has been a judge on Sky 1’s hugely successful show Got to Dance for the past 2 years and is due to appear on the judging panel again this year.

Incorporating several genres of music from classical to hip-hop, their diverse eye-catching routines won the hearts of the nation and forced Simon Cowell to describe them as “sheer and utter perfection”. Spurred on by the group’s motto ‘Dream, Believe, Achieve’, they are a remarkable example of what can be accomplished with hard work, dedication and belief.