Currys contrite after job-seekers 'upset' by interview dance-off

Store apologises as middle-aged man and others visibly distressed at being asked to bust a move to electronica and hip-hop tunes

Currys has apologised for making prospective employees dance in front of other job seekers during an interview process that left candidates "embarrassed and uncomfortable".

Recent graduate Alan Bacon told the BBC that he attended a group interview at a Currys Megastore in Cardiff earlier this week, having applied for a sales assistant role. The 21-year old had been informed that he would be given five minutes to talk about his hobbies, and went to the interview armed with pictures that spoke to his love of photography and astronomy.

But Bacon said candidates were "incredulous" to find they were to be split into two groups with each told to create a dance.

"I think everyone initially thought it was a joke," he said. "But they were serious. All professionalism went out of the window. I'd spent the past week researching the company and looking forward to being able to express myself and talk about what I love doing."

According to the BBC, Bacon soon found himself "embarrassed and uncomfortable... dancing to Around the World by Daft Punk, doing rubbish robotics in my suit in front of a group of strangers". He added that a middle-aged man "looked really upset as he danced to a rap song".

"I've been to quite a few job interviews and have never had to do anything like it before," said Bacon. "To be honest, it was hard to be taken seriously after it."

A Currys representative explained that the dance-off had been intended as a team-building exercise, but that it "did not follow our official recruitment process".

"We are currently investigating those members of the store who held the recruitment session," added the representative. "We are very sorry to those interviewees impacted on this occasion and would like to invite them back to attend an official interview where they will be given a proper opportunity to demonstrate how they can contribute to our business."

Bacon, who was not originally given a position with the store on the strength of his robotic dancing, indicated that he had politely declined the opportunity to attend another interview.