Britain's oldest dancer who is 'always up for fun' turns 103 today

Britain's oldest dancer has no plans of slowing down - after turning 103 today. (Tues)

Fun-loving Dinkie Flowers defies her age by still dancing almost every day.

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.

Dinkie even made her first TV debut on the BBC's 'The Greatest Dancer' in 2020 aged 98.

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.

The inspiring dancer turns 103 today (7 May).

Dinkie says: "Dancing is my life."

Despite aging over a century, she still goes to the studio in her home and practices some moves on her ballet barre.

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.

Her pupils now range from professional dancers in dance schools to members of the cast of West End shows.

Lesley said: "She's always up for fun and is fit as a fiddle.

"As you can see she is still amazing with what she can do.

"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!"

Lesley says DInkie still does her dancing every Friday and one hour 'keep fit and dance' classes three days each week.

Dinkie is excelling with her health, as she still goes out walking everyday.

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."

Lesley describes Dinkie as "bubbly" and "her usual self".

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.

"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.

"Her skin is very frail but nurses say she's incredible and at our local doctors she's a celebrity."

Dinkie learnt her dance skills at London's Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, and went on to ice skate all over the world.

The wonder woman made her TV debut tap dancing her way through auditions to appear on The Greatest Dancer at 98 years young.

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.