From the Dales to the dancefloor

TEAM effort . . . From left, event organiser June Burns, dance teacher Jack Clegg, Samantha Giles (who plays Bernice), ex-footballer Jason Jarrett, Liam Fox (who plays Dan Spencer), Royton dancer Vanessa Wong and event organiser Julie Garrity with Trudy Mainwaring, front, Trujons owner

OLDHAMERS rubbed shoulders with the stars as they put their best foot forward ahead of a special show.

Emmerdale's Liam Fox and Samantha Giles were busy rehearsing at Royton's Trujons Dance Studio in preparation for a dance-off at an event in aid of cancer support.

Samantha, who plays Bernice in the ITV soap, is one of six celebrities who will battle it out to become the event's dancing king or queen.

The stars were joined by former Oldham Athletic player Jason Jarrett, who will sit on the judging panel at the Dancing With The Dales black-tie fundraiser on Friday, May 5.

Samantha (45) has been travelling from Liverpool twice weekly to rehearse the quickstep with professional dancer Jack Clegg (25), from Shaw.

She said: "We only began rehearsing in March, but Jack has been brilliant.

"I'm a perfectionist. I've got the steps, but now need to focus on performing. There are no lifts, but I do a backdrop at the end. We are just going to do our best and hopefully people will have a laugh."

Samantha added: "My motivation has been the cause behind this event. When you are in this privileged position, you have to use that to help."

Dancing With The Dales has been organised by friends June Burns and Julie Garrity who are raising money for CALLM (Caring for Adults with Leukaemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma) and The Christie respectively.

June's husband Ross is being cared for by Dr Kershaw's Hospice as he battles a rare form of multiple myeloma, a type of bone-marrow cancer.

Since his diagnosis in 2014, he has undergone chemotherapy treatment and stem-cell transplants, but the cancer returned, spreading to his brain.

June, from Oldham, said: "Ross may not make it, but he insisted we go on with the event."

Co-organiser Julie is fundraising for The Christie's young adult ward after her son Jon Garrity (25) underwent treatment for testicular cancer when he was 18.

Jon, who has the all-clear seven years on, will dance alongside Emmerdale regular Amy Walsh.

Julie said: "Raising money for these causes is something we are very passionate about.

"Everybody has been superb. We thought we had died and gone to heaven when we began receiving calls from celebrities wanting to take part."

Over the last month, dancer Vanessa Wong, from Royton, has been practising a rumba routine with Liam, who plays Dan Spencer in the soap.

She said: "Liam has been really hard-working. His posture needs a bit of work, but he is getting there."

Earlier this month, Vanessa found success at Blackpool's Empress Ballroom Winter Gardens, when she was runner-up in ballroom and third in Latin. Actor Liam said his only previous experience of dancing was in a nightclub.

Liam, who has lost one stone in training, said: "I need a few more lessons and we need to extend our routine. I have never danced, so this is out of my comfort zone."

Emmerdale stars Mike Parr, Joe Gill and Katherine Dow Blyton will also take part and the panel of celebrity judges includes actress Gemma Atkinson, boxer Scott Quigg and foorballer Jason Jarrett.

Jason, who had two short stints with Athletic, said: "We want this to be a success. It is a great cause and something we need to raise awareness about.

He added: "I'm surprised at how well the celebrities are doing."

Trudy Mainwaring, of Trujons, said: "All of the pupils and ex-pupils have been putting a lot of time and effort into this."

The event is at Bolton Whites Hotel, The Macron Stadium. Tickets from £25 (up to £75 for VIP) are available from Julie on 07708 691089 or June on 07810 486207. Anyone who wishes to donate should visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/dancingdales.

• Check out more pictures from the rehearsal on our picture sales page.