Fred Dinenage and TV presenter Amanda Lamb announced in judges' line-up for Rowans Does Strictly

Fred Dinenage MBE and Amanda Lamb have joined the judging panel for Rowans Does Strictly, a charity dance competition which will see 32 contestants raise money for Rowans Hospice.

The pair join Britain’s Got Talent finalist Bessie Cursons and former Olympic swimmer Katy Sexton MBE and the group will score and choose the couple will lift the Rowans Glitter Ball trophy at the live event at The Pyramids in Southsea on Saturday, May 2.

All couples are challenged with learning routines, set by professional dance teachers David Keal and Beverley Craig, as well as fundraising money for the hospice, which provides care and support to those with life-limiting diseases and their families, which is currently trying to raise £7.5m for its Silver Jubilee Appeal to transform its facilities in Purbrook.

Debbie Pick, fundraising and events officer said: ‘We are all very excited by our first ever Rowans Does Strictly event in aid our £7.5m appeal to develop the Rowans Hospice building.

‘We were overwhelmed by the number of applicants for the event, which put us and the professional dance teachers, David Keal, and Beverley Craig, in the unenviable position of selecting just 32 contestants.’

On finding out that she and her partner, Wayne Jeffery, had secured their places, Rianne Rose from Portsmouth said: ‘It is so fitting to be part of the Rowans Does Strictly event. My mum, well in fact all of us, were supported by Rowans before and after she passed away in 2011. Mum loved Strictly'and she loved Rowans, so this is the perfect fundraising event for us to be part of.’

Contestant Sarah Finch added: ‘I am ecstatic to be taking part. As a Strictly fan for 17 years I so want to be able to master a salsa, tango or Viennese Waltz. I am really hoping to be taught to do a fleckle or heel turn.

‘To finally be having my Strictly moment, whilst helping to raise funds for such an important local charity is amazing.’

The contestants are Sarah Astin, Heather Barrett, Sam Brewster, Adam Bundle, Natalie Bundle, Graham Chappell, Malcolm Chewter, David Cowan, Sarah Cowan, Anna Craig, Zena Dawson, Stacey Eastwood, Naomi Edgson, Sarah Finch, Peter Gammon, Pamela George, Wayne Jeffery, Karen King, Faye O’Grady, Anna Paterson, Roger Pearce, Linda Pugh, Jill Ricketts, Rianne Rose, Kevin Sadler, Christine Salero, Hannah Seager, Ryan Seager, Kevin Smith, Ray Southam, Melissa Tolson and Samantha White.

Tickets for the show cost £12 each and can be purchased online at rowanshospice.co.uk/strictly.