Mum's reaction to boy's cheeky dance behind South Shields weather report going viral

A video of a little lad upstaging a weather reporter with his silly dance moves during a live TV broadcast has gone viral.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Leo-William Ramshaw, of Hebburn, was enjoying a day at the beach with his family and friends when they spotted BBC weather presenter Jen Bartram and her team arrive on South Shields coastline on Friday, July 31.

And while the North East weather reporter updated viewers on the heatwave set for Friday and the weekend, nine-year-old Leo was stealing the show in the background with his ‘epic’ dance moves during the live broadcast.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It was hours later, while re-watching the earlier segment, that Jen spotted little Leo for the first time and took to Twitter to share the hilarious video – which shows the youngster lifting his top before turning around, side stepping and wiggling his bum.

Speaking to the Gazette, Leo’s mum Vanessa Ramshaw says the youngster has been loving his new found fame and always enjoys making people laugh.

"We weren’t even suppose to be going to the beach that day, it was a last minute decision,” said the 28-year-old, who is also mum to Ava-Mae and River-Raine.

"The kids were playing in the background and filming TikTok videos but we hadn’t realised Leo had been dancing when she was actually on air.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I couldn’t believe it the next day when we saw the video online.

Leo-William Ramshaw stole the show during a live weather broadcast on South Shields beachLeo-William Ramshaw stole the show during a live weather broadcast on South Shields beach
Leo-William Ramshaw stole the show during a live weather broadcast on South Shields beach
Read More
Watch as Jarrow schoolboy Bobby Charlton as he steps out in solo Junior Great No...

"Leo loves to make people laugh and he’s only nine so he can be silly.

"He says he wants to be a boxer or a footballer but I’ve always said I think he should be a comedian. I call him the class clown.

"He’s actually a really good dancer and I think if anything he’s got a bit shy.

Mum Vanessa with children Leo-William, Ava-Mae and River-RaineMum Vanessa with children Leo-William, Ava-Mae and River-Raine
Mum Vanessa with children Leo-William, Ava-Mae and River-Raine
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"He loves watching Youtubers and he’d always say to me he’s going to go viral one day but I never expected this!”

Posting on Twitter, Jen later added a soundtrack of Up & Down by Vengaboys, and Tony Christie's Amarillo which fits perfectly in time with his dancing.

Leo, who started a new school, Fellgate Primary, after lockdown, is now feeling less nervous about meeting his classmates properly for the first time next month thanks the videos success.

"It’s all a bit doom and gloom at the moment,” said Vanessa, of Hebburn. “In these times it’s great to see he’s made so many people laugh. He’s not a cheeky boy, he just likes to make people smile.”

Mum Vanessa Ramshaw with nine-year-old Leo-WilliamMum Vanessa Ramshaw with nine-year-old Leo-William
Mum Vanessa Ramshaw with nine-year-old Leo-William
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Presenter Jen said: “I had no idea he was in the background until I watched the forecast back a couple of hours later, so it was just as much a surprise to me as everyone who saw it live and I burst out laughing. He has some great moves!

"I’m so pleased that it’s brought a smile to so many people. This year has been so gloomy, it’s great to have moments of joy at something silly.

"I don’t like to take myself too seriously, so I didn’t mind (being ‘upstaged’) at all – and we were all kids once.

"I’m glad he had fun – he’ll be on Strictly Come Dancing before you know it.”

A message from the editor:

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Leo-WilliamLeo-William
Leo-William

You can subscribe to this website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. SImply click ‘Subscribe’ in the menu. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here. Thank you.