Dancing in memory of dad inspires Alison to Strictly Inverness glory
Alison and Martin winners of Strictly Inverness 2011
A HAIRDRESSER and a businessman have danced their to way to be crowned Strictly Inverness 2011 champions.
Alison McRitchie and Martin Waugh were overall winners of the glitzy charity event partnered by the Highland News.
The three-day dance extravaganza which this year also included a juniors’ contest was held to raise money for the Highland Hospice and the Inverness Ice centre where the event was staged.
Eight couples battled it out over two nights, but it was Alison, owner of The Head Gardener Salon in Inverness, and Martin who owns the franchise for the Bathstore who claimed victory.
All contestants had to complete a group dance and two individual routines but it was Alison’s and Martin’s samba and their freestyle dance in which Martin ripped off Alison’s dress which wowed the crowds and the judges.
Alison (42), who has two children Aaron 15 and 12-year-old Brad, took part in memory of her dad Stan Moseley, who passed away in the hospice last November.
Alison, who lives in Westhill with her husband Steven, said she was over the moon her and Martin had won.
She told the HN: "I am still wired to the moon, it was fantastic, it was a great experience. I had family come to watch from all over the world. One sister came from Paris, one from Saudi Arabia and one from London. I was dancing for our dad and it meant such a lot, especially for my mum that everyone was there watching.
"I was on a wee bit of a downer on Sunday, but my son had recorded it so we have watched it all back about five times and I am now still buzzing from it all."
She added: "From it as well, I have a new group of friends. All the dancers have become mates and we are already busy planning events that we can get together for throughout the year. Although it was a competition, we were all always rooting for each other."
Martin (41), who lives near Tore with his wife Jill and children Rachel (5), Aaron (7) and 14-year-old step daughter Riona, added: "It was great to take part. Winning was unexpected in a sense. We are just excited to get through the dances without any mistakes after 12 weeks of training, so winning was an added bonus."
Winners of the junior event were 10-year-olds Andrew Cullen and Zara Patience who wowed the 500-strong audience with their waltz.
Zara attends Avoch primary School and Andrew goes to Balloch Primary.
Andrew had no dance experience before deciding to take part in Strictly Inverness whilst Zara attends the Elvet Ballet School in Dingwall and Stagecoach Theatre Arts in Inverness.
See this week's Highland News for full coverage of the event as the organisers count how nuch has been raised for the Highland Hospice and Inverness Ice Centre.
