Strictly Inverness dancers raise thousands for charities and get praise from Anton du Beke
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AROUND £370,000 was raised for two charities thanks to the efforts of those involved with this year's Strictly Inverness.
Sales manager Martin Montgomery (30), from Gollanfield, and supermarket manager Shannon Christie (22), from Inverness, won the 11th edition of the annual dance competition.
Sixteen couples competed in semi-finals, where the top four from each qualified for the final, with the event at Inverness Ice Centre running over four days.
The money will be split between the venue and Highland Hospice.
Martin 'Papa' Gill alone raised £66,400 and received a special award in recognition of it being the largest amount an individual driver has ever raised.
The Slaters Award for most entertaining performance, chosen by celebrity guest judge Anton du Beke, went to Julie Lumsden and Alastair 'Sugar' Kennedy.
Runners-up were Gemma Kellacher and Darrel-John Paterson, while third place went to Tasha Lundie and Craig Noble.
We spoke to the winners and celebrity guest judge Anton du Beke.
First, the winners...
Reporter: How are you feeling?
Shannon: I feel amazing. We were up against so many great competitors. Iʼm overwhelmed after winning but we put our heart and soul into our performances. A big thanks goes to our families and friends as they have been so supportive through it all.
Martin said: It makes it all worth while when Martin 'Papa' Gill raised so much money [more than £66,000] for a great cause and weʼve had the chance to be part of it all.
Reporter: How was rehearsing and training?
Shannon: “Iʼve only done some odd dance classes when I was younger so I had no idea what to expect. We had good days and bad days and sometimes when we got home with sore legs it was really hard, but everything was worth it!”
Reporter: What made you both sign up to strictly?
Shannon: A lot of the girls at work kept trying to persuade me until finally I caved and applied, now Iʼm so glad they did!
Martin: I was bored one night and couldnʼt sleep so I was scrolling on Facebook, I found the link to it then applied, and now Iʼm here and got first place!
And now the celebrity judge...
Reporter: What do you think of the Highlands?
Anton: This is my first time in the Highlands and itʼs definitely not going to be my last. When I danced with Judy Murray [on TV's Strictly] of course I visited Dunfermline, Aberdeen and Edinburgh but never the Highlands. Iʼm hoping to come back in the near future and do some more tourist activities.
Reporter: Strictly Inverness is put together by Highland Hospice, is charity work something youʼre passionate about?
Anton: Itʼs a wonderful charity event. I went to the Highland Hospice today and met a few people who were lovely and it is also raising money for the ice centre which is a charity in itself and part of community, which I really like.
Reporter: What would you tell people thinking of participating next year?
Anton: The thing about Strictly Inverness is that youʼre dancing with someone who is equally as bad as you are to start with so rather than dancing socially it gives you something to strive for and work towards so I would encourage anyone to go for it.
Reporter: What do you think of the standard of this year's contestants?
Anton: I was staggered by the standard, and I think itʼs great that some of them have only been dancing since January. Itʼs just brilliant what they have all managed to achieve.
Keep an eye on our website for more photos.
