Will Baley danced the Paso Doble, or as he referred, a Poké Doble on Strictly Come Dancing this week.
It was movie week on Strictly Come Dancing, and Bayley took on the role of Ash, from the lovable animated movie Pokémon. “Gotta catch ’em all” is an iconic theme song from both the original television series and the more recent movie adaptations. What is clear is that Bayley is still catching the publics’ hearts with his tenacity and desire to succeed.
“Fire, passion, aggression!” Those were the words that left Bruno Tonioli as Bayley completed his third dance of the Strictly Come Dancing series. The judges’ scoring seemed harsher this week, and it reflected in Bayley’s facial expressions as he appeared disappointed with a solid score of 23. It was, however, enough to leave him in a relatively comfortable mid-table finish.
On Friday, the day before the live show, Bayley posted a heartfelt video in which he declared his love for his dance partner Janette Manrara. He thanked her for persistingly pushing Bayley to new heights, which he would never have dreamed of attempting. “If anyone thinks they can’t do something, or it’s not possible. Then, maybe you’re wrong.” Those were the words that he uttered as Bayley continues to be a role model for everyone to believe in themselves, and attempt to break barriers through challenging what seems impossible.
Thankfully, the viewers decided to keep Bayley in the competition for another week. The usual beaming smile we have grown fond of seeing appeared as he continues his journey. Pushing himself through new challenges and inspiring us all to believe in ourselves.
Table Tennis England is backing Bayley to help promote the sport to a new audience, and show that table tennis is for everyone. We are proud to encourage inclusivity throughout our sport, and we encourage all of our clubs to use disability-friendly facilities. For further information, visit our being inclusive section.