Bright 'N' Balloons · A Secret Productions partner
Balloons, glitter and proper party magic
Bright 'N' Balloons is a Secret Productions partner. Balloons by Shelley Gates, aka Dapper Dyke: Prestige Awards Balloon Artist of the Year for the South of England two years running, record breaker and stand up comedian. Glitter bar, festival glitter, face paint and body paint by our very own Emma Cat.
Ever seen a rubbish magician twist a three legged dog? Don't worry. None of that here. Only the very best. Shelley builds wearable balloon costumes, sixteen foot sculptures and giant caricatures for the likes of Channel 4, IKEA and the Amex Stadium, and coaches other balloon artists in her technique. Based in Brighton, booked across London, the South Coast, the UK and abroad.
Balloon installations and art
Her skill is just incredible.
Walkabout balloon entertainment
Walkabout balloon modelling with a stand up comic's timing. Characters, creatures and arm art made on the spot, with the patter to match. Kids lose it, grown ups queue for seconds.
Balloon installations and brand activations
Arches, columns, walls and centrepieces in your brand colours, built for launches, store openings, trade shows, awards nights and film and TV sets. Made to be photographed and shared.
Balloon sculptures and caricatures
Giant caricatures, characters and statement pieces designed from scratch, like the Greg Davies caricature and balloon mask Channel 4 commissioned for Taskmaster. If you can describe it, Shelley can probably build it out of latex.
Workshops and masterclasses
Hands on workshops for parties and hens, and proper technique and design masterclasses for balloon artists who want to level up.
Who we work with
Brands and agencies
Brand activations, product launches and content that needs to stop the scroll.
- Balloon installations in your brand colours
- Caricatures and props for TV and social
- Glitter bars that get guests posting
Corporate and venues
Staff parties, awards nights, store openings, trade shows and family fun days.
- Entrance arches and stage dressing
- Walkabout balloon modelling
- Face painting for the whole team
Private parties
Birthdays, weddings, hens and big family days, done properly.
- Balloon decor and centrepieces
- Festival glitter and face paint
- Disco, games and the animal show
Awards and records
Award winning. Record breaking.
Balloon costumes you can actually wear, sculptures taller than a double decker, and the coach other balloon artists come to for her technique.
British Balloon Bash 2026
Winner of the 2026 Iron Man competition.
Singapore, March 2026
Part of the international team that set two Singapore records at the Marina Square Balloon Festival.
Team Durian
A sixteen foot balloon durian, built in Singapore for the same festival.
Clients
Who's booked Shelley
Photo: channel4.com
Taskmaster · TV
The clientTaskmaster, Channel 4's hit comedy panel show.
What Shelley madeA giant balloon caricature of Greg Davies, plus a wearable Greg Davies balloon mask for the show's TikTok adverts.
Photo: ikea.com
UK
The clientThe world's biggest home furnishing brand.
What Shelley madeBalloon artistry for IKEA.
Photo: prestigevenuesandevents.sodexo.com.svg)
Brighton · Falmer
The clientHome of Brighton and Hove Albion and one of the South Coast's biggest event venues.
What Shelley madeBalloon entertainment and decor at the Amex.
Photo: marinasquare.com.sg
Singapore · March 2026
The clientSingapore's waterfront mall and home of the annual Balloon Festival.
What Shelley madePart of the international team behind Forest of Wonders 2026: two Singapore records, and Team Durian's sixteen foot balloon durian.
Photo: gosh.org
London
The clientThe world famous children's hospital charity.
What Shelley madeA balloon sleigh and reindeer for Christmas.
Photo: GTR press office
GTR · Bedford to Brighton
The clientGovia Thameslink Railway, running Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern.
What Shelley madeBalloon magic on the Santa grotto trains, two Christmases running.
Photo: Bright 'N' Balloons
Morrisons Daily · Store opening
The clientMorrisons' neighbourhood convenience stores.
What Shelley madeA full store opening dressed in balloons in the brand's own colours.
Chailey Heritage
FoundationSussex
The clientThe Sussex charity and school for children and young people with complex disabilities.
What Shelley madeBalloon entertainment at their family event days.
Case studies
What a talent!
Greg Davies, in balloons
Channel 4 commissioned a balloon caricature of the Taskmaster himself, plus a wearable balloon mask, for the show's TikTok advertising.
A sleigh and reindeer for Christmas
Shelley helped build a full size balloon sleigh and reindeer to bring Christmas to Great Ormond Street.
Ribbon cutting, in brand colours
Balloon columns in the store's own green and yellow framed the doors for a grand opening that looked great on the day and in the photos.
Party extras
Glitter and paint by Emma Cat
Glitter bar hire
A sparkle station run by a working cabaret performer who knows exactly how much glitter is too much. Gems, gold and chunky sparkle for brand activations, awards nights, Pride, festivals and hens.
Festival glitter
Glitter roots, beards and cheekbones for festivals, Pride and party season. Fast, fabulous and built to survive a dance floor.
Face painting
Face painting for corporate family days, parties and festivals, from tigers and butterflies to something a bit more grown up for the evening crowd.
Body painting
Full body paint for performers, shoots, brand launches and themed nights, from someone who wears it on stage herself.
More from Bright 'N' Balloons
Henna
Beautiful temporary henna designs, from delicate details to statement pieces.
Airbrush tattoos
Bold airbrush tattoos that last for days, without the regret. Great for festivals, activations and teens.
The Weird and Wild Animal Show
A hands on show full of weird and wonderful creatures. Nobody forgets the day they held one.
Disco and games
Music, lights and party games run start to finish, so the grown ups can actually sit down.
Meet Shelley Gates, aka Dapper Dyke
Award winning comedian, balloon specialist and the person other balloon artists come to learn from.
Shelley works at the top end of the job: film, TV, private events and international bookings. She coaches other balloon artists in her technique and in designing unique pieces, which is why you won't see her work copied out of a catalogue. She brings a comedian's timing to every walkabout, so the entertainment is as good as the balloons.
Recent builds include a balloon caricature and wearable balloon mask of Greg Davies, commissioned by Channel 4 for Taskmaster's TikTok ads, and the balloon sleigh and reindeer for Great Ormond Street Hospital's Christmas.
"Shelley was the hit of the event!"
Trustpilot review
The partnership
Bright 'N' Balloons is a Secret Productions partner. One enquiry gets you balloons from Shelley, glitter and paint from Emma, and the production know how of the team behind our aerial and cabaret shows.
Emma Cat
Burlesque aerialist, fire performer and our resident glitter and paint artist. See Emma's performer page.
Recent creations
Reviews
37 reviews. Every single one five stars.
Straight from Trustpilot. Not one four star in the lot.
Shelley does not just make any old balloons. She's an artist, and an absolute legend with the kids.
Shelley is the most sought after birthday party entertainer in our area!
Shelley at BrightNBalloons is just THE BEST!
Her balloon craft is out of this world.
Shelley was the hit of the event! Professional, engaging and a dream to work with.
I didn't know you could create such detailed pieces made of balloons!
The best money I have ever spent.
Shelley has an amazing gift.
The balloons are epic and she's just so so lovely. Book her now!
Shelley is unbelievable at what she does and with the kids!
We rebooked immediately for next year.
Shelley's balloon modelling skills know no bounds.
Shelley is tremendous. Her creations are superb.
She really can make anything from balloons.
Thank you Shelley for being so incredible.
My daughter and her friends always ask to have Shelley at their birthday parties.
Shelley is wonderful with the residents. Creates amazing sculptures which they all love.
Great balloon artist and a really engaging way of doing it.
An amazing addition to our daughter's birthday party!!
Shelley really does make a party great!
I would definitely book Shelley again for any party. Brilliant!
Comes highly recommended!
Explore our services
Good questions
Smiles for miles!
What is Bright 'N' Balloons?
Bright 'N' Balloons is a Secret Productions partner offering balloon entertainment, balloon decor, sculptures and workshops by Shelley Gates, plus a glitter bar, festival glitter, face painting and body painting by Emma Cat. Henna, airbrush tattoos, The Weird and Wild Animal Show and a party disco with games can be added too.
Who is Dapper Dyke?
Shelley Gates, aka Dapper Dyke: Prestige Awards Balloon Artist of the Year for the South of England in 2025/26 and 2026/27, winner of the 2026 Iron Man competition at the British Balloon Bash, part of the team that set two Singapore records in March 2026, and a stand up comedian. Her clients include Channel 4, IKEA and the Amex Stadium, and she coaches other balloon artists in her technique.
Who does the glitter bar and face painting?
Emma Cat, burlesque aerialist and performer with Secret Productions, runs the glitter bar, festival glitter, face painting and body painting.
Where do you cover?
We are based in Brighton and work across London, Brighton and Hove, and right along the South Coast: Worthing, Eastbourne, Lewes, Hastings, Chichester, Portsmouth, Southampton and Bournemouth, plus the rest of Sussex, Surrey, Kent and Hampshire. International bookings on request.
Can we book a balloon artist in London?
Yes. Shelley works all over London for birthdays, corporate events, store launches, film and TV, and Emma brings the glitter bar and face paint. One enquiry covers both.
Can we book balloons, face painting and a glitter bar together?
Yes. Tick everything you want on the enquiry form and you will get one plan and one quote.
Do you work on film, TV and corporate events?
Yes. Shelley made a Greg Davies balloon caricature and mask for Channel 4's Taskmaster, and balloon builds, set dressing and walkabout entertainment for film and TV, store openings, brand activations and staff parties are a big part of the work.
Can you match balloons and glitter to our brand colours?
Yes. Balloon installations, columns and arches can be built in your brand colours, and the glitter bar can be styled to match, which is why they work so well for brand activations, launches and store openings.
Do you offer glitter bar hire in London?
Yes. Emma Cat brings the glitter bar, festival glitter, face and body paint to corporate events, brand activations, awards nights, Pride and private parties across London, Brighton and the South Coast.
Do you do hen parties?
Yes. Balloon workshops, adults only balloon fun and a glitter bar make a very good hen do.
Enquiries
Tell us about your party
Tick everything you fancy on the form below. It goes straight to Shelley and Emma, and they will come back with ideas and a free, no obligation quote.