Appearing on Strictly Come Dancing is a dream come true for everyone.
The glamorous dresses, glitter ball and gallant moves make television gold, but The People’s Strictly taught us something was missing from the past 12 series… ordinary people.
Tonight, we met three contestants:
Michael Pattie, Dumfries
Michael is dancing with Aliona Vilani in memory of his son, Dave, who died of Meningitis aged 13 in 1999. He has fund-raised for the Meningitis Research Foundation ever since, with Strictly-style events. As well as nailing the practice dance, he proved to be a real tear-jerker…
#ThePeoplesStrictly Michael! I want to go to Dumfries to take part in yr show. What a man. Crying again. Listen to the crowd, they love him.
— Anne Herring (@Mrsherring) February 25, 2015
Michael. What an absolute gent. #ThePeoplesStrictly
— Danny G (@thespanglishone) February 25, 2015
Heather Parson, Southampton
After contracting a flesh-eating bug, necrotising fasciitis, while on holiday in 2002, Heather set up a charity to support intensive care patients and their families. The 53-year-old looked delighted to be dancing with Ian Waite, but the audience started crying as soon as she told her story…
Well that's me crying for the next hour #ThePeoplesStrictly #comicrelief
— Perrie Barratt (@PerrieBarratt) February 25, 2015
How to make a grown woman weep – just watch #ThePeoplesStrictly just brilliant, #BrilliantPeople
— Cllr Maddi Bridgeman (@MaddiBridgeman) February 25, 2015
Love Heather! Every ITU should have one! Cassidy a cool dude & Michael so humbling. Wonderful amazing deserving people. So moving #strictly
— Kimbo (@Kimbohud) February 25, 2015
@Robinwindsor @bbcstrictly I used a whole box of tissues watching The People's Strictly. Very humbling. Amazing people.
— Lynn Stocks (@lynn_lynnstocks) February 25, 2015
Oh no, I'm already bawling at @bbcstrictly and then they bring out a wounded soldier #ThePeoplesStrictly
— Rachel Bunkham (@RBunks) February 25, 2015
Cassidy Little, Peterborough
This former Royal Marine medic, who lost his right leg below the knee during a tour of Afghanistan in 2011, will be dancing with Natalie Lowe. Not only did his story move people to tears, his looks stirred the audience too…
bless him is this one of those flash dance things… you guys must be freezing #ThePeoplesStrictly
— Linda (@Sherbertuk) February 25, 2015
Not sure I can handle the People"s Strictly – so emotional already!! And slightly in love with Cassidy and Heather is so lovely…
— Shaista Tayabali (@lupusinflight) February 25, 2015
Oh okay, now I'm interested in The People's Strictly. The Marine is adorable.
— Claudia Ashken (@Clashken) February 25, 2015
#strictly rooting for #Cassidy #commandospirit
— Kate Marshall (@kmarshallFWW) February 25, 2015
The show is back on March 4 when we will meet the other three not-so-ordinary people taking part in the programme.
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