A deaf dancer was shown a few steps by one of the most famous Hollywood film directors in rehearsals for the Olympic and Paralympics games opening ceremony.
Rob Lowe will be taking part in the star-studded event alongside 8,000 performers after surprising himself by getting through the auditions, which were held in November last year.
The 45-year-old, from New Malden, has always loved dancing but has never had any formal training and his only experience of performing was at a show for a deaf group he attended.
He said: "I was so surprised when my two auditions went successfully because I am profoundly deaf and I assumed that there was no possibility that deaf people could perform at the ceremony."
Mr Lowe admitted the auditions were nerve racking but was thrilled to meet Slumdog Millionaire film director and producer Danny Boyle who is artistic director for the ceremony.
He said: "He started chatting with me. I did not expect it because he was a famous star. He told me that I am a good dancer and showed me his dancing style briefly for fun. He was a great man.”
Mr Lowe said he loved to learn new dances and especially enjoyed break dancing, hip hop, and dancing to Michael Jackson tracks with his four-year-old daughter.
The ceremonies, which will be held on July 27 and August 29, are top secret but tabloid newspapers have flown a helicopter above the rehearsals to get a sneak peek.
Last week dancer Fillipe De Barros, who lives in Chessington, also kept tight lipped.
Danny Boyle has reassured animal rights campaigners that 12 horses, nine geese, three cows, two goats and 70 sheep will not be harmed during the Isles of Wonder themed ceremony.
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