THE man who taught Michael Jackson one of the most iconic dance moves of the 20th century – the Moonwalk – will be throwing some shapes in Halesowen next month.

Jeffrey Daniel, of soul group Shalamar – who had a string of UK top ten hits in the 1980s – is holding special workshop sessions and a Q&A with the Next Level Dance Academy.

The singer-songwriter and dancer – who was music channel MTV’s first street dance choreographer – is coming to town on Sunday, December 2.

Rather than host his visit at its Manor Lane base, the Academy is using Haden Hill Leisure Centre to maximise the opportunity for members and non-members, of all ages, to attend.

Emma Skett, who co-owns the Academy with Charlotte Jones, said: “Jeffery got in touch with us, we think he’s doing a bit of a tour and it all seems a bit surreal but we are really excited about it.

“We’ve done a workshop with Ashley Banjo [of dance group Diversity] before but we took the students to him so this is the first time we have someone really famous come to us.

“Because Jeffrey is such a good dancer, we have had people say they don’t think they will be able to keep up but these are definitely beginners’ workshops and everybody should be able to do them.”

Jeffrey is renowned for hits such as A Night To Remember, I Can Make You Feel Good and There It Is with Shalamar but also for his ground-breaking work with pop legend Jackson.

He was the first person to perform the Moonwalk on UK television, on Top of the Pops, and taught the move to Jackson as well as working with the ‘King of Pop’ on several singles, albums and films.

Jeffrey was co-choreographer on Smooth Criminal, a video in which he introduced ‘The Lean’ to Jackson as well as collaborating with him on Bad and various world tours and short films.

He will be holding two beginners’ workshops – which are open to everyone, not just NLDA students – on the first Sunday in December, starting at midday.

The sessions are an hour long, with two routines being taught, plus a 30-minute Q&A at the end, and the workshops are priced at £30 per person.

Spaces are limited and are on a first-come-first-served basis – anyone interested in reserving a spot should email nextleveldance@sky.com