Musical theatre dancer Gwen Verdon

Oti Mabuse's Dancing Legends

Oti Mabuse, twice winner of Strictly Come Dancing, continues her journey looking at the dancers and choreographers who have made a huge impact on dance. In this episode, actress and entertainer Bonnie Langford joins Oti to talk about her career and who she’s been inspired by.

Bonnie has had a long and varied fifty year career which has included stage roles in productions of Guys and Dolls and Chicago. And Bonnie wants to champion the Emmy and Bafta nominated performer Gwen Verdon as being a huge inspiration on her career.

Verdon was the winner of four Tony Awards and she originated the role of Roxie Hart in the Broadway production of Chicago.

Bonnie and Oti explore the life and spectacular career of this show stopping dancer with archive clips and the expert help of film historian John Kenrick.

Oti also goes to the dance studio to learn a dance routine in the style of Gwen Verdon with teacher Sophie Hirst from Dakoda's Dance Academy.

Presenter: Oti Mabuse Producer: Candace Wilson Production Team: Emily Knight and Rema Mukena Editors: Kirsten Lass and Chris Ledgard A BBC Audio Bristol production for BBC Radio 4