Nicole Cutler
Encyclopedia
Nicole Cutler is a professional ballroom dancer and former World Amateur Latin-American champion. She was born Nicole Westdyk in Durban
, South Africa
and after taking up ballet
at the age of four, first tried out ballroom and Latin-American dancing at the age of twelve.
In South Africa she danced competitively with Andrew Magin and Warren Smith before moving to the UK in 1990. In 1994 she teamed up with British dancer Matthew Cutler
and they were married in 1996. They divorced in 2003, but have recently been dancing non-competitively once again, still using her married name. In 1999 they formed the principal couple in the stage show Burn the Floor. Jay Park
was her professional partner from November 2003 to June 2004. They came first in the Professional Latin All England Championship in May 2004. Nicole partnered Robin Sewell
from June 2005 to June 2006. They were runners-up in the closed British Championships and ranked second in England. She twice received the Carl Alan Award
for "outstanding contributions to dance".
She has appeared as a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing
. In series two, she partnered Diarmuid Gavin
, then took a break from the show. However, she returned in series four to partner Nicholas Owen, and John Barnes
in series five. However, she was not asked to return to the show for series six.
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and after taking up ballet
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
at the age of four, first tried out ballroom and Latin-American dancing at the age of twelve.
In South Africa she danced competitively with Andrew Magin and Warren Smith before moving to the UK in 1990. In 1994 she teamed up with British dancer Matthew Cutler
Matthew Cutler
Matthew David Cutler is an English dancer and former World Amateur Latin-American champion. He was a professional dancer on the BBC dancing show, Strictly Come Dancing.-Early life:...
and they were married in 1996. They divorced in 2003, but have recently been dancing non-competitively once again, still using her married name. In 1999 they formed the principal couple in the stage show Burn the Floor. Jay Park
Jay Park
Park Jaebeom , also known as Jay Park, is an American recording artist, dancer, rapper, music producer, b-boy, songwriter, composer and actor...
was her professional partner from November 2003 to June 2004. They came first in the Professional Latin All England Championship in May 2004. Nicole partnered Robin Sewell
Robin sewell
Robin Sewell is a professional ballroom dancer. He was born in Durban, South Africa.He has danced competitively with: Beate Kaulitz , Elisabeth Haraldsdottir , Nuria Santalucia , Nicole Cutler , and Alarna Donovan...
from June 2005 to June 2006. They were runners-up in the closed British Championships and ranked second in England. She twice received the Carl Alan Award
Carl Alan Awards
The Carl Alan Awards is an awards event held annually in the United Kingdom and honouring people who have made a significant contribution to the dance and theatre industry, such as teachers, performers and choreographers...
for "outstanding contributions to dance".
She has appeared as a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing is a British television show, featuring celebrities with professional dance partners competing in Ballroom and Latin dances. The title of the show suggests a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing, with an allusion to the film Strictly Ballroom...
. In series two, she partnered Diarmuid Gavin
Diarmuid Gavin
Diarmuid Gavin is an Irish garden designer and television personality. He is married to Justine Keane, daughter of The Hon. Ronan Keane, the former Chief Justice of Ireland, and Terry Keane, and they have a daughter named Eppie born December 2004.-Early life:When he was six, his younger brother...
, then took a break from the show. However, she returned in series four to partner Nicholas Owen, and John Barnes
John Barnes (footballer)
John Charles Bryan Barnes MBE is an English football manager and former player.During his playing career, Barnes had successful periods at Watford and Liverpool in the 1980s and 1990s, winning the First Division twice, the FA Cup twice, and playing for England 79 times...
in series five. However, she was not asked to return to the show for series six.
Professional
- All England Professional Champion 2004
- World, Open British, International and UK Professional Latin finalist, 2000–2003
- UK Closed Professional Latin Champion, 2000, 2002
- World Masters Professional Latin Champion, 2000
Amateur
- UK Open Amateur Champion 2000
- Open British Amateur Champions 1997, 1999
- World, European & International Amateur Champion 1999
- Closed British Amateur Champions 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999
- Closed UK Amateur Champions 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
- Dutch Open Amateur Latin Champions 1998, 1999
- South African Open Amateur Champions 1990, 1994