Dance hopefuls will put their cha cha cha to the test in Strictly Star competition

Dance hopefuls will put their cha cha cha to the test in our very own answer to Strictly Come Dancing.

Sixteen people will take to the dance floor at the Everyman Theatre on 20 September 2014 to take part in Strictly Star and and raise money for National Star.

Signed up the competition are: celebrity doctor Dr Dawn Harper; our very own National Star College Principal Kathyrn Rudd; Gloucester City Council leader Paul James; chef Rob Rees; Paralympic footballer David Clarke; BBC Radio Gloucestershire presenter Claire Carter; Rowena Perkins of Cotswold TV; Donna Renney, former CEO of Cheltenham Festivals and media consultant Kirsty Muir.

The businesspeople taking to the dance floor are: Guy Biggin of Crowe Clark Whitehill; Tristan Freer of Bank House Investment Management; Philip McCabe of Britannia Construction and Oli Christie of Neon Play.

Paralympian footballer David Clarke has played for his country 144 times but he says the thought of dancing in a competition terrifies him. He also has a bit of experience after performing in Strictly for Sport Relief.

‘I am the sort of person who dances after a couple of bottles of red wine,’ said the 43 year old. ‘I’m a frustrated dancer. I love music and have rhythm but it is hard to do when you can’t see what other people are doing around you on the dance floor.’

‘If I can make my little girls smile, entertain the audience and raise some money for this good cause then I will be happy,’ adds contestant Philip McCabe.

Organised with Jazzjiveswing, all money raised will go towards supporting people with physical and learning disabilities and acquired brain injuries. We hope to raise £50,000.