Chiswick sweeper's brush with stardom

Jul 16 2008 By Jessica Thomas

Ziggy Dust

The pavement is his stage, his shadow his teacher and Chiswick shoppers his audience as Ziggy Dust struts his stuff.

Spinning, sliding, sauntering and sweeping, he daily has strangers stopped in their tracks and has gathered an online fan club.

Self-named Ziggy Dust is a Polish migrant who is regularly seen dancing while he goes about his daily work as a street sweeper on Chiswick High Road.

Christened Zbigniew Colbecki, he has lived in Loring Road, Isleworth, for three years and says he loves to make people smile.

"I love to see people smile when they see me dancing in the street when collecting rubbish," he said. "I have over 15,000 songs on my Ipod. I love Funky House, James Brown, New Jazz, Amy Winehouse and many more."

Ziggy, 47, moved from his home town Torun after he started struggling in his career as a watchmaker.

"My plan is to eventually move to Brazil, but at the moment I am happy working in Chiswick," he said. "I really like it here everybody is so friendly and I have made lots of friends."

Ziggy's moves definitely have elements of Michael Jackson, although he insists he does not copy anyone's style.

"I find my steps on Chiswick High Road, and I learn from watching my shadow on the pavement and my reflection in the shop windows, although I am very tired when I get home from work."

Chiswickians have been avidly discussing Ziggy's talents on local online forums and several YouTube clips of him dancing have been posted online.

Watch a clip of Ziggy dancing online