Strictly Come Dancing fans have been left stunned after a nine-year-old video of professional dancer Lauren Oakley resurfaced online, showcasing her singing abilities. The 35-year-old, who has appeared on the BBC programme for five years, has partnered with celebrities including Krishnan Guru-Murthy, JB Gill, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and, most recently, Graeme Hall.
A YouTube clip from nine years ago, recently shared on Reddit, shows the BBC star performing Corinne Bailey Rae's track Put Your Records On, according to Wales Online.
Fans react in disbelief
Sharing the footage online, one person wrote: "I never knew Lauren could sing! I just came across this video of Lauren singing Put Your Records On, and I genuinely had no idea that she could sing, so this was a pleasant surprise for me."
Others quickly commented on the clip in disbelief. One replied: "Adding her to my list of people I will hopefully recognise if they ever go on the Masked Singer. Singing and dancing talent like hers belongs in the West End, honestly. Strictly should feel lucky to have her."
Another added: "It's kind of crazy how much she sounds almost exactly like the original singer of this song. I almost can't believe it's her, crazy talent!"
Recording contract demand
The comments were echoed on the YouTube video, with one person demanding: "Fabulous, give her a recording contract!" Another wrote: "Wow, never knew Lauren could sing. What a beautiful voice."
During the opening live show of the BBC series, which aired on September 26, Lauren performed a Cha Cha alongside Graeme Hall, earning a score of 24 from the judges and securing fifth place on the leaderboard.
Judge Craig Revel Horwood said of the performance: "It was actually making me laugh, and I still can't work out why because you don't look like you're going to be able to do it, and then you get up, and you're actually doing it. You were paying attention to great detail in the technical side of it as well. I loved it."
Leaderboard standings
John Nellis and his professional partner Katya Jones topped the leaderboard with a score of 31 following their Foxtrot. At the other end, Melanie Walters, Shaun-Wright Phillips and Dame Sarah Storey shared the bottom spot, each receiving a score of 15.
Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday October 3 on BBC One from 6:15pm.
