Britain's oldest dancer has no plans of slowing down - after turning 103 today. (Tues)<br /><br />Fun-loving Dinkie Flowers defies her age by still dancing almost every day.<br /><br />She was born in 1921 and has been dancing since the age of three - going on to be an international ice skater and stage star.<br /><br />Dinkie even made her first TV debut on the BBC's 'The Greatest Dancer' in 2020 aged 98.<br /><br />Dinkie has travelled the world to showcase her skills, including a show in Baghdad to dance in front of the Royal Family and performed for Prince Phillip at an Ice Gala in Paris in 1952.<br /><br />The inspiring dancer turns 103 today (7 May).<br /><br />Dinkie says: "Dancing is my life."<br /><br />Despite aging over a century, she still goes to the studio in her home and practices some moves on her ballet barre.<br /><br />The mum-of-one and grandmother-of-four from Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, will be celebrating today in style with her carer Lesley Tomlinson, friends and old pupils who Dinkie has taught in dance classes over the years. <br /><br />Her pupils now range from professional dancers in dance schools to members of the cast of West End shows.<br /><br />Lesley said: "She's always up for fun and is fit as a fiddle.<br /><br />"As you can see she is still amazing with what she can do.<br /><br />"I think she must be a one off because a lot of people half her age can’t do what she does - she is quite incredible!"<br /><br />Lesley says DInkie still does her dancing every Friday and one hour 'keep fit and dance' classes three days each week.<br /><br />Dinkie is excelling with her health, as she still goes out walking everyday.<br /><br />Lesley explained: "Dinkie still doesn’t take any medication, doesn’t wear glasses or hearing aids, all she has is a short term memory loss."<br /><br />Lesley describes Dinkie as "bubbly" and "her usual self".<br /><br />She said: "Dinkie hasn't changed, she looks exactly the same and the girls who come and see her can't believe how mobile she is.<br /><br />"Dinkie had one pupil who started dancing with her when she was just three - she is 50 now, and still comes to dance with Dinkie for about an hour every week.<br /><br />"Her skin is very frail but nurses say she's incredible and at our local doctors she's a celebrity."<br /><br />Dinkie learnt her dance skills at London's Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, and went on to ice skate all over the world.<br /><br />The wonder woman made her TV debut tap dancing her way through auditions to appear on The Greatest Dancer at 98 years young.<br /><br />Dinkie, who was once the only British acrobatic skater, hopes to "keep dancing" through life - and "can't wait" to celebrate the special day with her loved ones.
