One Love, many admirers: dancing PC enjoys viral moment
|
Version 0 of 1. A police officer whose dancing with children at the One Love Manchester concert touched thousands of people around the world has said he is happy if it made people smile. PC Paul Taylor, a father of two, said he would not even class his moves as “dad dancing”, but nevertheless, many people have said the clip of him hand-in-hand with the children was one of the highlights of the star-studded gig. The 50-year-old was shocked that the clip of him at the concert had gone viral. He said he has had to put up with some ridicule from colleagues, but that he was proud to have been involved in the moment seen by millions. Taylor was one of about 50 officers from the Durham force sent to assist Greater Manchester police at the concert. He said once the clip started to trend on social media, it did not take long for friends and family to recognise him, even his son in Tenerife. He had posed for a picture with some children who then asked him to dance with them. Speaking at Durham police’s headquarters, he said: “I wouldn’t describe myself as the best dancer in the world but I was more than happy to oblige. “If it makes people feel happy and has put a smile on people’s faces that can only be a good thing, especially after what is going on in the last few weeks. I’m quite privileged to have been there.” The Darlington-based officer was shocked by the public’s response to the clip, and was quite unaware he was being filmed. “It’s not something I thought about,” he said. “I was just there because I was asked to and I was happy to do it. It’s been amazing, to be honest. I’ve never experienced anything like this in my 20 years with the police. “I’ve had a few phone calls, even a text off my son’s who is in Tenerife who said: ‘Is that you?’ I said: ‘It’s your dad dancing on the telly!’” Asked whether he considered his moves to be “dad dancing”, he replied: “Dad dancing? I wouldn’t say it’s even that good! “It shows that the police have a human side. I have two boys, albeit grown up. I’m a family man. Bearing in mind what’s gone on the last few weeks I’m quite proud of it now, to be honest. “I’ve been told it’s gone viral, it’s gone all over the world. Again, it will show cops in a good light. We do care about what we do. We are happy to help people. That’s what we’re there for and I’m pleased I did it.” He said several tearful and apprehensive girls who had been at the original Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, where 22 people were killed, had approached him on the night. He said: “It was a case of reassuring them, saying we’re here to help them, here to protect them and hopefully it’s worked.” On Durham police’s Facebook page, people left messages praising him. One person said he was a “credit to his profession”, while another commented: “This one clip on the TV made me night. Was such a lovely moment to watch! Well done to Paul!” |