Hayley Holt

Hayley Holt (born 3 July 1981, Auckland) is a New Zealand snowboarder and ballroom dancer notable for her appearances on several reality television series. Holt is also a past girlfriend of current All Black captain, Richie McCaw.

Early life

Holt grew up in Epsom, Auckland, and attended Epsom Girls' Grammar School.

Dancing career

Holt started ballroom and Latin dancing at the age of seven, and was placed 19th in the Blackpool Rising Star Professional Ballroom Competition and was sixth in the US Open Rising Star Professional Ballroom Competition. She has also trained in jazz dance and studied for many years with Candy Lane.^[1][2]

Holt's professional dance partner is David Yeates.

Holt joined the second season of the New Zealand TV show Dancing with the Stars in 2006, becoming the professional partner of swimmer Danyon Loader - the couple were eliminated in the semi-final. During the third season, Holt was the partner of basketball player Brendon Pongia and was again eliminated in the semi-final. In the fourth season, Holt was partnered with DJ Peter Urlich and was eliminated in episode three.^[1]

Holt participated in the sixth series of Strictly Come Dancing as the professional partner of swimmer Mark Foster.^[2][3] Holt and Foster were voted off on 26 October, placing 11th overall.^[4][5][6] She did not return for Series 7.

TV appearances

In 2007, Holt won TV2's Treasure Island: Pirates of the Pacific as one of "The Others".^[1][7] On 5 October 2008 Holt appeared on TV2's Shock Treatment.^[8] On 28 October 2008 was interviewed on Campbell Live.

Since December 2009, Holt has been working on The Crowd Goes Wild, as a reporter and occasional presenter.^[9]

In 2013, Holt became a co-presenter on the TV One series "Best Bits".

Boxing career

Holt has had two fights in the ring, both in 2011, both won by decision.

References