‘She dances on a prosthetic leg’: Christopher Hope’s wife praises Debbie Moore for empowering daughter through dance
Sarah Hope, wife of GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope, has shared heartfelt praise for Debbie Moore’s Pineapple Dance Studios in Covent Garden, where her daughter has been training for years.
The comments come as she discussed how dance has helped her child whilst attending the English Heritage Blue Plaque unveiling for dance pioneer Debbie Moore.
Pollyanna Hope, the daughter of Sarah and Christopher, lost her right leg below the knee in 2007, when she was just a toddler.
A bus mounted the pavement in Mortlake, south London, seriously injuring Pollyanna and her mother, Sarah. Her grandmother died in the accident.
Pollyanna Hope’s remarkable journey as a dancer began despite facing the challenge of being an amputee.
Her mother revealed that she has had a specially designed prosthetic ballet leg created, enabling her to master the demanding technique of dancing en pointe.
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Speaking about the dance studio’s impact on the community, Hope described it as “fantastic for this whole area for the entire dance community.”
Hope said: “Pineapple, in particular, has been so wonderful. And Debbie has looked after Pollyanna, included her, and helped her to feel confident and great.
“The whole atmosphere at Pineapple is just amazing. I’m so grateful to Debbie for bringing ballet and dance into the world for everybody.
“It’s a truly inclusive activity that everyone can do. Debbie is a wonderful role model for women, but also for men.
WATCH: Christopher Hope discusses impact Debbie Moore had on daughter Pollyanna
“Pollyanna does ballet on Saturday mornings with a man who’s about 70, and she just loves dancing with all these different people.
“It’s fun, but imagine how good it is for your fitness and health. You’ve got to think about your steps, so it’s great for concentration too.
“Coming to Covent Garden, it’s just a wonderful place to be. It’s gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous.
“It’s a happy, joyful environment, and Debbie has done such amazing things in bringing this whole fabulous place together.”
Many pioneering women have been commemorated under London’s blue plaque scheme, with Debbie Moore being the latest.
Speaking about her daughter, Hope added: “She’s had a prosthetic ballet leg made, and she’s learnt to dance en pointe so beautifully.
“She’s done a lot of professional dancing with the English National Youth Ballet and with many others, but she comes here so often simply because she absolutely loves it.