Winners of the 2006 Critics' Circle National Dance Awards announced today at Sadler's Wells, London

The stars of the dance world were out in force today to celebrate The 2006 Critics' Circle National Dance Awards.  Hosted by long time supporter of the Awards, Angela Rippon OBE, they were announced at a glittering ceremony at Sadlers Well's Theatre, London.

The Royal Academy of Dance would like to congratulate The Royal Ballet who scooped three of the most coveted awards. with Carlos Acosta winning Best Male Dancer, Miyako Yoshida winning Best Female Dancer and Steven McRae, (Genée International Ballet Competition gold medalist 2002) winning the Best Emerging Male Artist (classical) Award. We would also like to congratulate Dr Ivor Guest, Vice President and former Chair of the Academy on winning the De Valois Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance.

In the other categories, The Bolshoi Ballet was triumphant with Alexei Ratmansky winning Best Choreography Classical for The Bright Stream and the company winning the Best Foreign Dance Company Prize.   International choreographer Twyla Tharp claimed the award for Best Choreography Musical Theatre, whilst Javier du Frutos, who has recently won acclaim for his risqué choreography in the West End show Cabaret, saw his company, Phoenix Dance Theatre scoop the Company Prize for Outstanding Repertoire in the modern section, with the classical section award going to Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo.

The Working Title Billy Elliot Award went to two young male dancers this year, Brad Corben from Newton Abbot and Joseph Poulton from Leeds. Chosen from hundreds of applications, real life Billy Elliot performer Colin Bates who is currently appearing in the London production presented the boys with their awards. Brad Corben is RAD teacher Pollyanna Buckingham's student she said;

"I am absolutely thrilled for him, he only began dancing 3 years ago and is so dedicated that he absolutely deserves it"

Strictly Come Dancing, the BBC's highly successful dance competition that has taken the country by storm won the Patron's Award, for considerably furthering the cause of dance in the UK.  The award was presented by legendary ballerina Dame Beryl Grey, and collected by Strictly Come Dancing star and professional dancer Anton du Beke.

Upon arrival the stars of the ballet and dance world were treated to special performances by dancers from Strictly Ballroom, the Jiving Lindy Hoppers and children from Britain's leading dance schools, including the Royal Academy of Dance.

Attendees included, renowned ballerina Darcey Bussell, Director of the Royal Ballet, Monica Mason, Arlene Phillips, well known choreographer and Strictly Come Dancing judge, Michael Waldman, director of Ballet Who!, Culture Minister, David Lammy, Chief Executive & Artistic Director of Sadler's Wells, Alistair Spalding, Executive Director of the ROH, Tony Hall and Strictly Ballroom star, Lionel Blair.