REVEALED: Team Friday members for Strictly Inverness 2023

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Contestants taking part in Strictly Inverness 2023 have been announced.

A total of 32 dancers – or 16 couples – will be strutting their stuff in May hoping to make the final night.

They are all doing what they can to raise funds and the final total will be split between Highland Hospice and Inverness Ice Centre.

Here is your chance to meet the members of Team Friday.

• Jade & Luke:

Name: Jade Robertson;

Age: 29;

Where from: Dalneigh;

Occupation: self employed hairstylist at Roots salon;

Reason for taking part: I have suffered anxiety / depression as long as I can remember although from May last year I turned a corner when I started exercising and lost over a stone in weight thanks to Ian Findlay. My confidence grew a little more and I applied for Strictly to push me out of my comfort zone and to meet new people. I lost my dad to cancer and I would like to make him proud up there and also show my kids to go for whatever it is you wanna do.

Name: Luke O’Brien;

Age: 31;

Where from: Dingwall;

Occupation: operator at Lifescan;

Reason for taking part: I am keeping up the family tradition. Mum/sister/cousin previously took part.

• Gail & Drew:

Name: Gail Robertson;

Age: 46;

Where from: Tomatin;

Occupation: teacher for children with a visual impairment;

Reason for taking part: Such a fun opportunity to support the fantastic work of the hospice and that of Inverness Ice Centre too. By taking part in Strictly to the best I can is a small token of thanks to everyone who provides the much needed support and care.

Name: Drew Kuzma;

Age: 48;

Where from: Kirkhill;

Occupation: Church of Scotland Minister;

Reason for taking part: The main reason for my Strictly journey is that both my father and father-in-law have cancer and are now palliative. They both live in Canada which limits what we are able to do from here and so I wanted to do something to support others in similar situations locally. Such a good cause to get behind and one that is now close to home. There is also a part of me that is curious to find out if I can actually dance. Time will tell.

• Ann & Simon:

Name: Ann Chalmers;

Age: 59;

Where from: Culloden Moor;

Occupation: infection prevention & control nurse specialist;

Reason for taking part: Family has had experience of using the hospice and its excellent care and compassion; this gives me the opportunity to give something back to the hospice. I have always had a desire to learn to dance but my husband is not so keen. My son's girlfriend encouraged me to apply, and I was delighted to be chosen. The past three years have been very difficult, and I am hoping that the next four months will give me new experiences and the opportunity to meet new people.

Name: Simon Cole;

Age: 44;

Where from: Tomatin;

Occupation: SSE electrical design engineer;

Reason for taking part: I heard Ann needed a partner and as I'm new to Inverness I thought it would be a good way to meet new and interesting people.Emma & Don

• Emma and Don:

Name: Emma Chiappa;

Age: 48;

Where from: Elgin;

Occupation: warehouse assistant;

Reason for taking part: I love to dance. I wanted to find something different to focus on after recently separating from my husband. Something out of my comfort zone and a fun challenge.

Name: Don Johnstone;

Age: 46;

Where from: Dalneigh;

Occupation: quality and tourism advisor for VisitScotland;

Reason for taking part: I've taken to finding myself at least one new challenge every year and like my efforts to benefit a good cause. While talking over options for this year with a friend the Strictly Inverness call out appeared on my Facebook timeline, it was the closing day for applications, so I didn’t have a chance to overthink it and here I am.

• Lindsey & Andrew:

Name: Lindsey Crombie;

Age: 38;

Where from: Contin;

Occupation: nail technician;

Reason for taking part: I like to do something every year for the hospice as I have known families who have needed the hospice.

Name: Andrew Sutherland;

Age: 36;

Where from: Inverness;

Occupation: project manager;

Reason for taking part: I was brought up helping to fundraise for the hospice so it’s great to be able to continue my mam’s fantastic work. I have first hand experience of the fantastic work the hospice does so I want to support this as much as possible. Also I love a challenge so this is perfect.

• Helen & Russell:

Name: Helen McGougan;

Age: 42;

Where from: Forres;

Occupation: teacher (Secondary English at Inverness Royal Academy);

Reason for taking part: I’m a big Strictly fan and started working in Inverness last year. When I heard about the competition I thought it would be a brilliant way to get fit, meet new people, but also to get the school involved in some positive fundraising for a cause which has been very important to staff, pupils and their families. They’re also going to love laughing at their teacher making a fool of herself on the dancefloor!

Name: ​Russell Mckay;​

Age: 50;​

Where from: Muir of Ord;

Occupation: ​senior skills coach;

Reason for taking part: Because I have seen first hand the work that the Highland Hospice does and wanted to challenge myself and help them make people's lives easier and smoother.

• Simone & Keith:

Name: Simone Stewart;

Age: 45;

Where from: Dingwall;

Occupation: PSA at St Clements School;

Reason for taking part: I have always wanted to learn to dance and applied for Strictly before but didn’t get an interview. I suffer from anxiety and not very confident so I didn’t think I would be able to do it, but I have done a lot of work on myself this last year and I am buzzing for it now, still scared LOL but so excited. My granny is fighting cancer just now and I have her at my heart. I am doing this because she is an amazing woman and it’s pushing me to go for it. I love fundraising and am planning all the events so hopefully raise lots of money too.

Name: Keith Goodbrand;

Age: 47;

Where from: Old Hilton in Inverness;

Occupation: Barista Maestro at Costa in the Eastgate Centre;

Reason for taking part: My father in law was a patient of the hospice for a short while and they were nothing short of amazing with him and us as a family. I feel honoured to be giving back to them.

• Lia & Sam:

Name: Lia Smith;

Age: 18

Where from: Muir of Ord;

Occupation: Staff member at the Coop in Beauly and I also go to the UHI to study sports and coaching;

Reason for taking part: The reason for me applying is my mum Carla did it in 2016 and loved it. That has made me want to do it ever since I just have never been old enough until now. I love dancing – I would dance anywhere instead of walking if I could so this is a very exciting experience for me. Strictly is also done for the benefit of the Highland Hospice is a local charity which is such a great cause to raise money for so it’s a win-win really.

Name: Sam Murphy;

Age: 23;

Where from: Inverness but from Dumfries originally;

Occupation: PE teacher at Millburn Academy;

Reason for taking part: I heard they needed someone to step in so was encouraged by my department to go for it. One of my colleagues won the competition a few years ago so the pressure is on.

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