Strictly Inverness top fundraiser for Team Friday inspired to take part in competition by her beloved gran

Simone Stewart (45) swapped the classroom for the ballroom for this year's Strictly Inverness extravaganza in aid of Highland Hospice and the Inverness Ice Centre.

By day a pupil support assistant at St Clement's School in Dingwall, here the mum of three – named one of the top fundraisers for this year's event – reflects on what taking part in the run up and both the Friday night heat and Saturday's grand final meant to her:

"I had a goal in my mind when starting Strictly. I wanted to raise the most money on my night and and make it to the final so we could experience the whole thing and that is exactly what we did – third on our night and top fundraiser for our night too.

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"I was doing this for my lovely granny who was fighting cancer so I wanted to put my whole heart into it and make as much money as I could for the Highland Hospice.

"Sadly we lost my granny on February 3, which was really hard, but it just pushed me to do more for her!

"I have met so many amazing people who I know will be lifelong friends. This experience has shown me I’m not as shy and self conscious as I thought I was and given me a love for dancing. I had the best partner too and we both just went out there and had lots of fun.

"Getting two 10s for our musical theatre was the icing on the cake! So proud of every single person that was part of Strictly as they all smashed it out there. All winners in my eyes."

Simone was partnered with Inverness barista Keith Goodbrand (47) for this year's competition.

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