Doncaster benefits burlesque dancer defends herself against "haters" after TV documentary

A single Doncaster mum who uses her benefit handouts to fund her dream of becoming a plus size burlesque dancer has slammed "haters" after a TV documentary telling her story last night.
Doncaster burlesque dancer Charlene Taylor has blasted her "haters" after appearing in a TV documentary.Doncaster burlesque dancer Charlene Taylor has blasted her "haters" after appearing in a TV documentary.
Doncaster burlesque dancer Charlene Taylor has blasted her "haters" after appearing in a TV documentary.

Charlene Taylor, 28, was featured in Channel 5 documentary On Benefits last night and told viewers how is using her £20,000 a year handouts to launch a career as a sexy dancer.

The programme revealed how Charlene, who dances under the stage name Chazabelle Royale, had taken up lessons following the death of her daughter Summer two years ago.

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Posting on her Chazabelle Royale Facebook page she wrote: "I would like to thank everyone who has supported me tonight with my doccumentry (sic). I wish I cud (sic) tell exactly how happy u make me feel I appreciate your support so much there are so many nasty people who have said some sick horrible stuff but u guys who support me mean so much to me.

"I'm waiting for someone to offer to come look after my son like haters clearly want. Question is cud they do my job, cud they save there own child's life like I did as a carer.

"People question my job is wrong and spongeing. If only u knew my actual story I'd love to see many people go though what I have and stay this strong.

"I cud keep my mouth shut but I have a right to stand up for myself People judge yet they ain't even seen my documentry (sic). People shud go and have a pop at the people on dole who sit on there a*** smoking n taking drugs n booze not a mum who's caring for her son wile trying to make a better life for herself and son."

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Charlene has been honing her dance skills for three years in her council house bedroom and recently started practising fire breathing in her garden to make her act more exciting.

And she admitted during the show that she receives £1,600 each month in benefits and can't afford to spend money on formal training or expensive lingerie, which has been hindering her ability to go pro like Dita Von Teese.

She added: 'All I ask is for someone to give me a chance to step on stage and dance my heart out. I don't want to be a person sitting down and letting life go by, I want to do things in my life.'

Charlene is a full-time carer for her son, Callum, who has autism, so gets a carers' allowance as well as housing and child benefits amounting to £20,000 a year.

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She said she has been trying to make her handouts stretch as far as she can to aid her ambition.

She recently spent £500 on a professional photoshoot so she can boost the likes of her Facebook page - which at the time of writing had 94 fans - with 'nice, sexy shots'

Charlene said dancing has boosted her confidence and helped her overcome a difficult time after her daughter Summer died two years ago

As a size 16, she said she loved the fact she wasn't judged for her size at the classes, where she learnt being sexy doesn't have to mean being skinny.

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Her daughter was born with a disability that hindered her breathing and Charlene would often have to resuscitate her. She was devastated when the little girl died one night in her sleep and now has a tattoo on her arm in her memory.