Strictly Come Dancing was recreated in suitably slick and sophisticated style for two wonderfully good causes.
‘Strictly Dance’ was staged at Oldham’s Elizabeth Hall on Friday to raise funds for both Ashton’s Willow Wood Hospice and Oldham’s Dr Kershaw Hospice.
Ten couples put on their best dancing shoes as they jived and twisted to go head to head in front of an appreciative audience of literally hundreds.
Such is the popularity of the event, regularly staged for Dr Kershaw’s before the pandemic, that tickets for the night had sold out many weeks in advance.
Each of the couples had only had six weeks training, and as if that wasn’t tough enough, they also had to face the judges – including none other than former Conservative minister Edwina Currie. Scott Lees - an award winning performer with 30 years stage experience - also joined the judging panel.
Images by Nigel Wood.
Dancers taking part for Willow Wood were Ben Kent-Brown and Cheryl Lee (staff nurse at Willow Wood), Tom and Lisa Lewis (Tom is head of drama at Denton Community College), Marc Clifford and Lynne Booth, Gary Campbell and Billinda Dyson (assistant practitioner at Willow Wood), and Neil Bauckman and Julie Trickey.
Ultimately there could only be one winner and following the dance off Willow Wood’s Billinda and Gary took the day – and the glitterball tophy – with their ‘strong, passionate Pasa Doble’.
Those attending also enjoyed a meal, plus fundraising raffle and auction to complete the night and entertainment from Fierce Dance and singer Belinda Scandal.
Hosts for the evening and introducing each of the couples were Mark Llewellin and Jane Hodson.
With couples raising literally thousands of pounds each for both hospices, the final figure has yet to be counted, but is certain to be significant.
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