A BLUE Peter presenter spent two days at a south Essex school learning ballroom dancing with a wheelchair user.

Presenter Helen Skelton will dance at an international competition with James Ireland, a pupil at Kingsdown Special School, in Eastwood.

She spent two days with James, 16, learning the waltz, samba and quickstep, ahead of their performance at the Malta Open Dance Compet-ition, on November 29 and 30.

Because of Helen’s busy work schedule, it is unlikely the pair will be able to practice together again, so James will keep up his skills with a partner at the school.

James, who was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus and is paralysed from the waist down, said: “I really enjoyed training and didn’t mind the cameras being there at all.

“Helen was really nice. Learning the dances was really difficult, and I did run over her toes a couple of times.

“I’m a bit nervous about the competition, but it should be OK.

“I love ballroom dancing, it’s a real challenge and there is lots to think about.”

Sheila Beddow, assistant headteacher and co-ordinator of the school’s wheelchair dance club, Spin, said: “James has been with Spin for about four years.

“He was thrilled to be chosen to dance with Helen. We have a lot of good dancers, but he was the lucky one to be chosen.

“Helen has been lovely. They have been doing well, as she has some background in dancing.

“The cameras have been filming them practicing and James has been given a camera to do his own video diary.”

James is not new to dance competitions. Last Easter, he was one of eight dancers from the club who went to Holland for the wheelchair dance world championships.

The four couples were novices and went for the experience, but all came back with medals.

James and his partner won gold.

James and Helen have been taught by Pippa Roberts, the coach of the Maltese wheelchair dance champions, and two of her professional dancers. The whole school was treated to a performance by the dance professionals and Helen talked to pupils during the school assembly.

The pupils were also shown some of the early footage taken by the BBC’s camera and sound technicians.

Director of Blue Peter, Kara Miller, said: “They have lots of work to do, but it’s looking positive.

“Helen and James work very well as a team.”

Helen joined the famous children’s TV programme last month as it marked its 50th birthday.

The pair’s performance at the competition will be screened later this year.