Authority control databases
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
Louie Spence | |
|---|---|
| Born | Louie Spence 6 April 1969 Ponders End, Enfield, England |
| Education | Italia Conti Performing Arts School |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Employer | Pineapple Dance Studios |
| Spouse | Ben Ives |
| Website | louiespence |
Louie Spence (born 6 April 1969)[1] is an English dancer, choreographer and television presenter, best known for the TV show Pineapple Dance Studios. He was a professional dancer in his youth, performing in West End musicals including Miss Saigon, Cats, and Closer to Heaven. Pineapple Dance Studios was sold around the world and has aired on the US network Ovation since 28 September 2014.[2]
Spence was born in Ponders End, Enfield in the north of Greater London and grew up in Braintree, Essex. He attended Notley High School before moving on to the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts.[3]
Spence performed in the West End as part of the award-winning original cast of Miss Saigon. He went on to perform in Cats and Closer to Heaven, and performed with a number of pop acts including the Spice Girls, Take That and Björk.[4]
From 2004 to 2006, Spence was a judge and mentor on Trouble TV's Bump'n'Grind. Shortly after, Spence became a judge on the television series Cirque de Celebrité on Sky1 from 2006 to 2007 and the American version Celebrity Circus for NBC in 2008. In 2009, Spence was artistic director of the Covent Garden Pineapple Dance Studios when he appeared on a docu-soap Pineapple Dance Studios beginning 14 February 2010 which was a huge hit. However, after initially indicating that a second series would be produced, Sky1 reverted this decision, due to failing to come to terms with studio owner Debbie Moore.[5] Spence was then given his own Sky1 series, Louie Spence's Showbusiness in 2011; however, with the loss of the brand name, the show failed to take off and was cancelled after one series.
In 2011, Spence shot his own TV show in New York City for the OWN network owned by Oprah Winfrey.[6] On 3 December 2011, it was announced Spence would become a new judge on the ITV show Dancing on Ice with Robin Cousins, Katarina Witt and Karen Barber.[7]
On 22 August 2013, Spence entered the Celebrity Big Brother house to participate in the twelfth series.[8] On the first day, he was chosen to be a 'Cult celebrity' meaning he had the power to nominate housemates for the first eviction. Throughout his time in the house, Spence survived three evictions, however he was evicted two days before the final.[9][10]
Beginning on 1 February 2015, Spence took part in the second series of reality programme The Jump and was eliminated on Day 2.[citation needed]
In August 2018, Spence took part in Celebs on the Farm, and was eliminated on day 9.
On 29 September 2011, Spence released his autobiography, Still Got It, Never Lost It!, which was published by HarperCollins.[11]
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2004–2006 | Bump'n'Grind | Judge |
| 2006–2007 | Cirque de Celebrité | Judge |
| 2010 | Pineapple Dance Studios | Himself |
| 2011 | Louie Spence's Showbusiness | Presenter |
| 2012 | Dancing on Ice | Judge |
| 2013 | Celebrity Big Brother | Contestant |
| 2015 | The Jump | Contestant |
| 2016 | Tour de Celeb | Contestant |
| 2018 | Celebs on the Farm | Contestant |
| 2024 | Celeb Cooking School | Contestant |
