Blast from the past: The line dancing craze of the early 1990s

The synchornised American country craze which, as the name suggests, is done in lines without a partner, spread like wildfire as hitherto quiet sorts began slapping their thighs, donning denim, chequered shirts, cowboy boots and Stetsons to dance along to Billy Ray Cyrus and his ‘Achy Breaky Heart’.

Everyone from Kevin in accounts to farmers and retired teachers became hooked and adept at dances with names such as the Tush Push, Houston Slide and Slappin' Leather.

A country ‘n’ western frenzy took hold as people, looking like extras from the Dukes of Hazzard, were taught the toe-tappin’, hands-on-hips, thumbs-in-belt-loop routines to a soundtrack of Cotton Eyed Joe or Chattahoochee. They loved it!

One person who didn’t love it was the late Rev Ian Paisley, who denounced line-dancing as "aiding and abetting fleshly lusts which war against the soul" He said: "Line-dancing is as sinful as any other type of dancing, with its sexual gestures and touching . . .” Many blame pop group Steps and their woeful ‘5,6,7,8’, rather than Mr Paisley for dimming the dance’s popularity, but it’s still out there at a hoedown near you!