Dermot O'Leary name-checks Colchester's Rodney Appleyard at NTAs

Colchester schoolboy Dermot used his slot as host of the National Television Awards on Tuesday to big up college pal Rodney Appleyard, who used to be a hit on the dancefloor of Colchester venues likes the Hippodrome in the early 1990s.

Whilst introducing American actor and dancer Matthew Morrison, famous for his time in Glee and now as a host on BBC’s The Greatest Dancer, Dermot named Mr Appleyard as the best dancer he’d ever seen.

He said: “For many, he [Morrison] is the greatest dancer they have ever seen, but they never saw Rodney Appleyard at my sixth form college disco in Colchester.”

Inspired by his heroes MC Hammer and Bobby Brown, Mr Appleyard said he used to take to the stage at the Hippodrome, now Atik, to wow gathering crowds.

Moves - Rodney Appleyard

“Myself and two other friends used to get up on the stage at the Hippodrome and put a routine together like the MC Hammer video for U Can’t Touch This,” he said.

“People used to really get into it and start dancing like that too - and it was such a great atmosphere back then.

“It was so great to see so many people enjoying themselves and knowing you had helped to bring that about.

“Dermot would always ask me at the Hippodrome to show him how to do the Running Man.

“I was surprised he was also really good at it. These days, I think I need to learn a few tips from him.”

Rodney and Dermot are still good friends and the charity worker said it was typical of the star to name-drop him on live TV.

He said: “It is the way he is. He has always been generous and he likes to surprise people in different ways. It is his sense of humour to do something like this.

“I had no idea it was going to happen, but I was picking my daughter up from Brownies at the time.

“Lots of old friends were texting me and sending me messages on Facebook.

“We had a big circle of friends then and we are not always in touch any more so it is nice to be able to reconnect.

“We often talk about it and sixth form was one of the best experiences of our lives.”

Icon - Rodney modelled his dance moves on the great MC Hammer

Although he doesn’t dance to entertain clubbers in Colchester anymore, Mr Appleyard helps the town’s community through his job at charity Colchester Catalyst.

“People always told me I was a good dancer, but it is difficult to say myself,” he said.

“I just danced because I loved trying to entertain people.

“Dermot saying my name on TV brought back loads of lovely memories.”