Saturday 2nd April saw our 2022 'Strictly Learn to Dance' contestants step on to the dance floor at our Grand Finale at the Bolton Whites Hotel.

Our fifteen dancing duos from across the local area have been working hard to improve their dance skills at 'A Touch of Class' dance studio since January, each aiming to raise as much sponsorship as possible to support the hospice.

The couples put their 12 weeks of dance training to the test and it was a show to remember! The event was a huge success and saw family, friends and local businesses join together to cheer on the Strictly participants. We are still awaiting the final total raised through the event and incredible efforts of the dancers and their sponsorship.

 

A huge congratulations to the winners of Strictly Learn to Dance 2022!

 

Overall Winners – Natalie Ashworth and Adam Haslam

Argentine Tango – Natalie Ashworth and Adam Haslam

 

Salsa – Lucy Macfarlane and Chris Simpson

 

Cha Cha – Philip and Sarah Greenhalgh

 

Rock & Roll – Jennie Thornton and Gary Bryant

 

Quick Step – Michael Court and Ffion Marshall

 

Audience Vote – Stacy Fox and Stephen (Jimmy) Sommerville

 

Most Improved Couple - Natalie Wardach and Rik Tapper

 

 

Thank you to our dancers!

 

Each of our wonderful dancers are winners to us! Their commitment, hard work and the funds they have raised for the hospice mean the world to our team. These vital funds will enable us to continue caring for local people and their loved ones when they need it most.

 

On the Judging Panel for this year’s Strictly Learn to Dance 2022 finale

 

Ian Savage 
Ian has been a Trustee on the Board of Bolton Hospice for four years and is a former regional newspaper journalist and was Editor of The Bolton  News for 10 years until 2018. He now works for the University of Bolton as Head of Media Relations.

Sam Allardyce 
Loving referred to as Big Sam, was signed by Bolton Wanderers from Dudley Town in 1969 and spent nine years at Bolton, helping the club to win the Second Division title in 1977–78.  Sam returned to Bolton Wanderers as manager, leading the club to promotion out of the First Division via the play-offs in 2001, as well as a League Cup final and UEFA Cup qualification. He is a big fan of the Strictly Come Dancing TV show so was thrilled when asked to be judge to help support Bolton Hospice and the event this evening.

Marie Sandham 
Former UK Ballroom & Latin Champion (ten dance). World European finalist in Ballroom & Latin. Owner of Sandham’s Dance School Farnworth Bolton. Professional in Latin American Dance; Salsa, Rumba, Cha Cha, Foxtrot, Tango & Waltz. 

David Brankley
Member of the International Dance Teachers  Association, a Championship Adjudicator, an international dance competition scrutineer and a former competitive dancer.  

Cllr Andy Morgan
Bolton Hospice Trustee. Councillor for Heaton & Lostock. Andy took part in our very first Strictly Learn to Dance with chosen dance Rock & Roll!

 

 

 

Strictly Learn to Dance wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Teresa Croasdale and her team at A Touch of Class Dance Studios who shared their time and expertise for free and provided support and encouragement to the dancers, Keith Harris, Phil Ashcroft and the entire Bolton FM team who put a fabulous show together.

 

Thank you to VM Family Law for their support and for kindly sponsoring this year's Strictly Learn to Dance!