Two Ukrainian children’s Blackpool ballroom dream is set to come true a year after their country was invaded by Russia.
Yeva Kenia., 12, and her dance partner Zakhar, 10, had a long-held ambition to compete at Strictly Come Dancing ’s spiritual home on the Lancashire coast.
But the brutal war unleashed in their homeland torpedoed the plan.
Yet, after Yeva's family was offered refuge by Strictly star Ed Balls and his Shadow Cabinet Minister wife Yvette, Yeva and Zakhar can once again don their dancing shoes.
Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Yeva’s mum Katerina said: “In February last year we planned to participate in Blackpool.
"We booked hotels and the visa to enter the UK, and the day when I was going to the embassy I woke up and prepared to go and my husband said, ‘No we are leaving because war is starting’.”
When the family made the heartbreaking decision for Yeva and Katerina to flee, they decided the UK would be the best place for Yeva and Zakhar to pursue their dancing dream.
At the same time, like thousands of British families, Shadow Home Secretary Yvette, 53, and ex-Shadow Chancellor Ed, 55, were looking to offer sanctuary to Ukrainian refugees at their home in Castleford, West Yorks.
Yvette was also taking part in a charity fundraiser dancing the American Waltz for Leeds Rhinos rugby league star Rob Burrows to generate cash for motor neurone disease, from which he suffers.
It was through that event - and with help from Ed’s Strictly partner Katya Jones - that the Cooper-Balls family forged a connection with Yeva and Katerina, who hail from just outside Kyiv.
Meanwhile, Zakhar and his mum Yana and older siblings found refuge in a household nearby.
Katerina, who still lives with the political power couple, said: “When we decided to relocate it was one of our questions because we wanted to live together in order for the kids to continue practising.
“We are so lucky that we are friends together.”
The youngsters, who have been dance partners for five years, spend hours rehearsing every day.
Since fleeing Ukraine, their lessons have taken place through Zoom classes and videos from their instructor.
Katerina said: “Unfortunately due to the blackouts sometimes our trainer can’t do it.
“But we’ve asked him to make videos so we can do remote lessons.
“For the kids it’s quite hard, and for the trainers as well, because you need to explain how every muscle should move and every step they have to describe every movement in real detail.”
Katerina described competing at Blackpool as “our dream”.
Previously the pair have danced as juveniles - but next time they compete it will be as juniors.
They hope to take part in the Blackpool Open in May.
During half term they travelled back to Ukraine to see Katerina’s husband, Yeva's dad.
“We came on Saturday, it was quite calm,” said Katerina.
“But unfortunately on Wednesday there was a massive attack and there might be another one.”
When President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed Parliament last week, Yvette told the Ukrainian leader about the exiled families and passed on their thanks to him.
Yeva and Zakhar performed at Ed and Yvette’s 25th wedding anniversary party in Eastbourne last month(JAN) for guests including London Mayor Sadiq Khan and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Ed, who stunned viewers with his Gangnam Style routine on Strictly 2016, quipped: “I offered to give them some dancing lessons but it seems they had rather more to teach me.”
Asked about Ed’s dancing, Katerina said: “If you would like to have a nice mood you need to look at Ed’s dancing.
“He’s a very excellent actor, he shows very nice emotions, but I think he has some way for improvement.”
Yvette said: “It is so hard for families to have been forced to leave their home because of Putin’s illegal war, especially for children.
“But it has been incredible to see Yeva and Zakhar’s determination to keep dancing and training whatever happens.
“They practise everywhere - in the school hall, in the local church hall, a nearby pub or our sitting room.
“We’ve tried practising with them but they weren’t convinced.
“The way Katerina, Yana and their families have managed is really impressive and it shows why it’s so important to keep supporting Ukrainian families.”
