A grandmother about to celebrate her 102nd birthday has revealed her secrets to enjoying a long and happy life.
Dinkie Flowers, of Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, credits her longevity to sunshine and dancing on the daily.
The ex-professional dancer, who appeared on the hit BBC show The Greatest Dancer aged 98, still teaches pupils at her own dance school.
Ms Flowers, who was born in 1921 — three years after WWI ended, will celebrate her 102nd birthday on May 7 with a Ritz-style tea party.
The 101-year-old has said she ‘wouldn’t change a thing’ about her remarkable life (pictured celebrating her 100th birthday)
Former professional dancer Ms Flowers still teaches pupils of all ages at her own dance school, Dinkie Flowers Stage School in Shoreham-by-Sea
The mother-of-one has travelled the world to showcase her skills – including Baghdad to dance in front of the Iraqi Royal Family. Pictured, during her lifetime of dancing
Sharing her secrets, Ms Flowers, who has lived through five monarchs and 22 Prime Ministers, said: ‘I can’t stop dancing you see.
‘I recommend dancing and moving to stay fit and healthy, not sitting down all day, I couldn’t do that.
‘Dancing keeps you alive and dancing and being in the sun makes me happy.’
Speaking of her upcoming birthday celebration, Ms Flowers’ carer Leslie said: ‘We’ll be doing the typical sandwiches like if you go to the Ritz for afternoon tea — cucumber sandwiches with crusts cut off, scones, cream cakes, all done in the afternoon tea style with china cups and proper tea.
‘A little bit of music and some family and friends but people tend to drop in cards and things for her.’
She added that Ms Flowers is ‘known very well around Shoreham’, as she has taught ‘generations around here’ to dance.
Ms Flowers first started dancing in 1924, at just three years old.
She performed for Prince Philip at an Ice Gala in 1952 for which she received a royal letter of thanks.
Ms Flowers has also travelled the world to showcase her skills – including in Baghdad to dance in front of the Iraqi Royal Family.
She learnt her skills at London’s Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts.
After falling in love with ice skating, she also went on to skate and dance all over the world.
She was even arrested in 1940s Paris for wearing a red playsuit to perform, as it was associated with illegal prostitution at the time.
Ms Flowers said she won’t stop ‘until they take me away in a box’.
She said: ‘I’d advise anyone and everyone to start dancing to keep you young – for body and mind.
‘Every day I go and dance in the studio I have at home, and I try to get everyone else to do it too.
‘The work you do keeps your body supple, last much longer and look much younger.’
She believes it’s ‘never too late’ to start, adding: ‘You don’t have to go mad, but it’s good to keep on moving your body, bending your knees and stuff like that.’
Leading up to 100th birthday in 2021, Ms Flowers did three 45 minute keep fit sessions and three 20 minute walks a week to raise money for the NHS Charities Together.
The grandmother-of-four even appeared on the hit BBC show, The Greatest Dancer (pictured), when she was 98, tapping her way through the audition process
Dinkie learnt her skills at London’s Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts. Pictured, during her lifetime of dancing
Dinkie went on to marry husband George, who managed the famous Raymond Revuebar in London. He died in 2005, Pictured, together
She said at the time: ‘What the hell does it matter how old I am? I’m still living and I’m still going strong. It doesn’t matter whether I’m 30 or 100!’
Her daughter Sarah even followed in her mother’s footsteps and became a professional dancer.
Ms Flowers, who was once the only British acrobatic skater, said: ‘Dancing is my life, and helping people dance is my life.
‘I see people just sitting on their bottoms all day and reading, but it’s important to get up and keep on moving – I need to be able to do something.’
She was married to George Flowers, who managed the famous Raymond Revuebar in London.
He died in 2005. The couple had a daughter Sarah and four grandchildren.
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