HQ has the time of its life with Katy Brand publicity stunt

London Bridge station was brought to a standstill at lunchtime today when a professional dancer dressed as "Dirty Dancing's" Johnny Castle performed the iconic ‘(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” lift from the finale of the 1987 classic film with a London office worker, in a HQ publicity stunt to promote comedian Katy Brand’s new book I Carried A Watermelon.

Commuters, including comedian and author Brand, had initially stopped to watch professional dancers James Davies-Williams and Chrissy Brooke recreate the iconic lift from the end of the film at London Bridge Station near HarperCollins UK offices. The dancers posed as the "Dirty Dancing" protagonist Johnny Castle and an unsuspecting office worker. The routine was planned with choreographers Pink Mustard Events, and was filmed by videographers Speed Wagon. 

Commuters were gifted signed copies of the book, while the stunt was promoted by HQ on social media under hashtags #ICarriedAWatermelon and #LondonBridgeLift.

Brand, said: “All Dirty Dancing fans have dreamt of being swept – or lifted – off their feet by Johnny Castle. And, for a few joyous seconds, the crowd believed that dream had come true for our office worker. They thought she had just popped to Pret-a-Manger, but ended up having the time of her life”.

I Carried A Watermelon, published today (10th October) in hardback, e-book and audiobook by HarperCollins UK imprint HQ, is described by the publisher as part-memoir, part homage to the 1987 film. The book tells how the film shaped Brand’s life and has influenced attitudes towards sex, romance, rights, and responsibilities. . 

HQ executive publisher Lisa Milton acquired world all language rights from Cathryn Summerhayes at Curtis Brown within a day of receiving the proposal earlier this year.

Brand is an award-winning writer, comedian and actor and is a host for the Penguin Podcast for Penguin Books.