Claire Kopicki and Rod Hahlo have joined forces (and they are considerable as Claire works with the body as an Osteopath and Rod works with the mind as a Trainer and Coach of NLP!) to team up as a dance couple in the challenge to learn to dance in just 12 weeks to help raise money for Bolton Hospice where the finals are taking place on 15th March 2024.

Rod says "I clearly remember that awful school disco moment around 1984 of looking across the empty dance floor at a group of girls and feeling like I wanted to be anywhere aside from right there!

Its time after many years to finally address that and show what I can really do and get into the uncomfortable zone. I have been an avid Strictly fan for years and whilst only have experience of dancing around my kitchen I know I have so much more to offer. Without doubt my greatest fan for taking part would have been my mum who loved Strictly (and who no doubt would have 'stalked' me at rehearsals) who passed with cancer in March 2021, so this is for you.

I am so excited and passionate about this whilst looking forward to the whole experience dancing with Claire, whilst working very hard to avoid treading on toes!

Claire says “Having spent countless Saturday evenings watching Strictly with my children and feeling a strong desire to dance myself, I decided it was time to take action.

Participating in Strictly Learn to Dance presented the perfect opportunity to step outside my comfort zone, commit to a partner and an unswerving event, and, above all, raise funds for an incredible cause.

Receiving the call to offer me a spot, excitement and fear mingled as the reality of dancing in front of an audience kicked in. My primary motivation is to demonstrate to my children that they can pursue anything in life with confidence—a quality I, too, am actively working to enhance in myself. The first conversation with Rod reassured me that we would enjoy the journey and, perhaps, he should be more concerned about me stepping on his toes!

Through this experience, my aim is to raise invaluable funds for Bolton Hospice, inspire others to step out of their comfort zone, and, if nothing else, provide a comedic touch!"