Dr Kershaw’s Hospice has banked £65,000 from its latest “Strictly” dance spectacular - and the cash is still rolling in.

More than 470 supporters packed Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham, on Saturday for “A Night in the Musicals”, watching eight amateur couples fight for the event’s glitter-ball trophy.

Barber Jack Warburton and nursery worker Katie Gough stole the show with a high-energy Jive set to The Blues Brothers, landing the winners’ crown after a final dance-off decided by actors Shobna Gulati and Scott Wright, dance coach Anna Kirkpatrick and celebrity make-up artist Armand Beasley.

Sales assistant Amanda Cunningham and Oldham Athletic chairman Frank Rothwell claimed second place with a comic Jersey Boys Salsa mash-up.

Community dance teacher Rachel Riley, who drilled the top two couples in their spare time, praised the effort.
”Every dancer gave up evenings and weekends to perfect their routines,” she said.
”Thanks also to the volunteer teachers who turned beginners into performers, and to everyone who bought tickets or sponsored the night.”

Entertainment between rounds included a three-course dinner, West-End vocalist Melanie Marshall and a showcase from the Jayne Barnes School of Dance. TV actor John Henshaw added star power, while local author Ian Taylor kept the evening moving.

A live auction produced the biggest single donation: an anonymous bidder paid £15,500 for a Manchester United shirt signed by the first-team squad - matching one day’s running costs for the hospice.

All competitors also ran personal fund-raising pages, pushing the on-the-night total past £11,600 on top of ticket sales.

Katie Gough said the experience had left her “nervous, thrilled and proud”.
”Winning was the cherry on top, but the real victory is the money we’ve raised for a place that has cared for people I love.”

Organisers have already opened registration for Dr Kershaw’s Strictly 2026 at www.drkh.org.uk/strictly.

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