DON'T TELL ME I CAN'T… become a burlesque champion

Anny Hooker thought her dancing days were over

- Anny Hooker

Collecting my trophy and flowers, I gazed out onto the applauding audience and beamed with delight. I’d been awarded second runner-up after performing my dreamy 1950s narrative routine as part of Burlesque Idol 2017, Europe’s leading burlesque contest. Standing on the stage, I couldn’t quite believe that, at the age of 49, and just six months after having started lessons, I’d ranked in my first competition. I was finally living my dream of being a performer, something I never thought I’d be able to do.

From a young age, dancing was a big part of my life. I spent my teens and most of my 20s traveling to different countries in Asia, taking part in shows and competitions. It was an incredibly exciting time in my life but when I was 32, I met my husband Alan and we adopted my nephew.