Happiful September 2020

DANCING THROUGH ADVERSITY
2020 has brought some huge changes in the life of dance group Diversity’s
founder, Ashley Banjo. While the global pandemic may have slowed the
pace of life for some of us, the Banjo household has welcomed a new
addition, had time for reflection, and given Ashley a renewed desire to
share his love of dance
Writing | Lucy Donoughue
Way back in 2009,
the nation
watched openmouthed
as dance
group Diversity performed
their competition-smashing
routine on ITV’s Britain’s Got
Talent final, led by founder
and creative director Ashley
Banjo. Their choreography and
razor-sharp movement was
nothing short of spellbinding.
The audience was in awe,
and Diversity won the hearts
and votes of millions. They’ve
remained firmly in the public
eye ever since.
Now, 11 years on from their
landslide victory, Diversity are
still going strong, with a biggerthan-ever
tour lined up for 2021,
and thousands of fans following
their every move on social
media. However, performing
together has been curtailed
lately, with lockdown and social
distancing rules putting a stop to
rehearsals.
While Diversity’s output may
have temporarily slowed, life
for founder Ashley Banjo, has
remained full-on. In March,
Ashley and his partner Francesca
welcomed their beautiful son
Micah to the family – a little
brother for their 17-month-old
daughter Rose. It’s been, he says,
eye-opening.
“Any parent will tell you that
the leap from one child to two
is massive,” Ashley explains
“With one, you’re sharing
everything between you, but
with two – especially when
they’re both under two years old
– the amount of care more than
doubles. It’s just a whole new
world.”
As well as welcoming a new
family member, Ashley believes
the months of enforced time
at home during lockdown
has significantly shifted his
perspective on life.
“I’ve started to question and
notice different things. I’m not
the kind of person who usually
says, ‘Let’s go sit outside, have
a picnic, and chill out.’ I’m
always ready to move and work.
But being in this situation,
and having the kids, I can now
be with just them for hours,
watching them play in the
garden – that’s everything to me.
It’s made me realise what’s really
important.”
There’s a sense that the arrival
of the pandemic has refocused
and renewed priorities for
Ashley, with his family, Diversity,
and dance solidly at the centre
of his universe. His voice warms
instantly when conversation
moves from Covid concerns
to the artform that propelled
him and his closest friends
into the limelight more than a
decade ago, and it’s clear that his
passion for movement is deeply
embedded in his soul.
Although their BGT victory was
11 years ago, the group has been
in existence for 23 in total, and
44 • happiful.com • September 2020