and this was the interval act — riverdance with michael flatley.'t think i've ever mentioned it before. right before i went on stage, they came to me beside the stage. a couple of them said, "please, we're getting calls from all the dance teachers. please don't wave your arms around. you're going to make us look ridiculous in front of the world and we'll be very embarrassed. so can we just ask you this time, whatever happens, keep your arms down." and i said, "no." irish dancing quickly became a global sensation and fans filled arenas. and that impact, going right across the world. how cool is that? so, we nailed it. my dream, for 35 years, i was working in construction sites and digging foundations in chicago, in those freezing cold winters. but i was creating those steps and my dance style in my mind that whole time. and that's what got me through the hard labours. michael set up his own show, lord of the dance. but growing up and wanting to be an irish dancer in the late—19605 wasn't easy. i got bullied at school, terribly. so i know what young

and this was the interval act — riverdance with michael flatley.y, i don't think i've ever mentioned it before. right before i went on stage, they came to me beside the stage. a couple of them said, "please, we're getting calls from all the dance teachers. please don't wave your arms around. you're going to make us look ridiculous in front of the world and we'll be very embarrassed. so can we just ask you this time, whatever happens, keep your arms down." and i said, "no." irish dancing quickly became a global sensation and fans filled arenas. and that impact, going right across the world. how cool is that? so we nailed it. my dream, for 35 years, i was working in construction sites and digging foundations in chicago, in those freezing cold winters. but i was creating those steps and my dance style, in my mind that whole time. and that's what got me through the hard labours. michael set up his own show, lord of the dance. but growing up and wanting to be an irish dancer in the late—1960s wasn't easy. i got bullied at school, terribly. so i know wha

and this was the interval act — riverdance with michael flatley.ll you a story, i don't think i've ever mentioned it before. right before i went on stage, they came to me beside the stage. a couple of them said, "please, we're getting calls from all the dance teachers. please don't wave your arms around. you're going to make us look ridiculous in front of the world and we'll be very embarrassed. so can we just ask you this time, whatever happens, keep your arms down." and i said, "no." irish dancing quickly became a global sensation and fans filled arenas. and that impact, going right across the world. how cool is that? so we nailed it. my dream, for 35 years, i was working in construction sites and digging foundations in chicago, in those freezing cold winters. but i was creating those steps and my dance style in my mind that whole time. and that's what got me through the hard labours. michael set up his own show, lord of the dance. but growing up and wanting to be an irish dancer in the late—19605 wasn't easy. i got bullied at school, terribly. s

and this was the interval act — riverdance with michael flatley.ase, we're getting calls from all the dance teachers. please don't wave your arms around. you're going to make us look ridiculous in front of the world and we'll be very embarrassed. so can we just ask you this time, whatever happens, keep your arms down." and i said, "no." irish dancing quickly became a global sensation and fans filled arenas. and that impact, going right across the world. how cool is that? so we nailed it. my dream, for 35 years, i was working in construction sites and digging foundations in chicago, in those freezing cold winters. but i was creating those steps and my dance style in my mind that whole time. and that's what got me through the hard labours. michael set up his own show, lord of the dance. but growing up and wanting to be an irish dancer in the late—19605 wasn't easy. i got bullied at school, terribly. so i know what young lads go through. and it's trying. it's mentally difficult. it's stressful to have to walk into school and hope somebody doesn't say

and this was the interval act — riverdance with michael flatley.alls from all the dance teachers. please don't wave your arms around. you're going to make us look ridiculous in front of the world and we'll be very embarrassed. so can we just ask you this time, whatever happens, keep your arms down." and i said, "no." irish dancing quickly became a global sensation and fans filled arenas. and that impact going right across the world. how cool is that? so we nailed it. my dream. for 35 years, i was working in construction sites and digging foundations in chicago in those freezing cold winters. but i was creating those steps in my dance style, in my mind that whole time. and that's what got me through the hard laborious work was that — bring this dance form to the world. and did you tell your friends at the time or was did you just keep it inside your head? —— did you just keep it inside your head? would they just. .. you'd think, "no, i'm not going to rent him out on a building site." you know, these big muscle guys at the bar better not mention i'm

michael flatley on 30 years since that life—changing

very aggressive tactic. 30 years since riverdance stole the show at eurovision, we catch up with michael flatley