'My Riverdance dream came true': Dancer to perform in Irish show at venue where she first saw it aged 15

A dancer who fell in love with Riverdance as a teenager is returning to perform in the show at the venue where she first saw it.

Nicola Dempsey, 33, of Purley, was already studying ballet and Irish dancing when the Riverdance show — based on traditional Irish music and dance — became a sensation in the wake of the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest.

“I tried to copy the steps from the video,” she said.

Her Irish grandmother, Anne Dempsey, bought her tickets to see the troupe perform at the Hammersmith Apollo in January 1996 and the experience as a 15-year-old sparked a dream to do the show herself.

“It feels very special to me coming back. This was my dream job from the beginning,” she said.

“For me, it’s my Irish heritage and I’ve always loved performing. And the music for the show is so special.

“It just puts everyone in such a good mood.”

Dempsey’s grandparents come from Cork but she was raised in Croydon. Her grandmother will not be able to attend this week but “lots of family” are coming.

Dempsey studied music at Kingston University while continuing to perform in Irish dance championships.

Four years ago she won her place in the Riverdance team — and after leaping her way around the world, she arrives back at Hammersmith today with the 20th anniversary tour. More than 1 million people have seen Riverdance at the venue, now the Eventim Apollo.

Riverdance runs until Saturday, with tickets from £33.50.