Meet the contestants chosen to take part in the big Rowans Does Strictly charity dance event in Portsmouth
Forty candidates were invited to take part in an audition, which was watched by two of the judges for the Live Event – former Olympic swimmer Katy Sexton MBE and Head Judge actress Bessie Cursons, who reached the final of the ITV talent show Britain’s Got Talent in 2007 and now runs her own theatre and dance academy.
A total of 32 contestants were selected – eight couples and 16 individuals who will be paired up by professional dance teachers David Keal of Keal School of Dance and Beverley Craig of Scarlet Rose School of Dance.
All 16 couples chosen will be given free lessons over the next 14 weeks before competing to win the Rowans glitterball trophy on May 2.
Contestants are: Peter Gammon and Heather Barrett, Sarah and David Cowan, Wayne Jeffery and Rianne Rose, Christine Salero and Kevin Sadler, Jill Ricketts and Roger Pearce, Graham Chappell and Sam Brewster, Natalie and Adam Bundle, Hannah and Ryan Seager, Zena Dawson, Stacey Eastwood, Sarah Finch, Ray Southam, Malcolm Chewter, Jacqueline Fagg, Kevin Smith, Karen King, Pamela George, Naomi Edgson, Melissa Tolson, Linda Pugh, Anna Craig, Anna Paterson, Faye O’Grady and Samantha White.
Seaking about being selected, Malcolm Chewter commented: ‘As a lover of all things sparkly, this is a great opportunity to learn to dance, sparkle and support a good cause! As the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth when Rowans officially opened, I totally appreciate the work that the charity does to support our local community.’
Fellow 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!’
On finding out that she and her partner, Wayne Jeffery, had secured their places, Rianne Rose from Portsmouth stated: ‘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.’
Firefighter Adam Bundle and his wife Natalie, who is a childminder, were also excited to secure a place. Speaking about why they wanted to take part, Natalie stated: ‘The unexpected passing of my Nan last April made us realise life is too short and you should grab every opportunity! Being selected for Rowans Does Strictly is a dream come true, after years of watching and wanting to be on the programme. It is the perfect start to 2020.
‘We will be learning a new skill, doing something as a couple, stepping out of our comfort zone and raising money for a great cause!’
Visit www.rowanshospice.co.uk/rowans-does-strictly-hub to find out more about the contestants taking part and the celebrity judges.
Buy tickets at www.rowanshospice.co.uk/strictly for the most glitzy evening this May, helping raise the funds needed to totally renovate your hospice.