Give generously for a good cause...
BBC Radio Humberside’s Scunthorpe United commentator, Mike White, is swapping the microphone & his on-air partnership with former Iron legend George Kerr for glitter balls and a partnership of a very different kind.He’s taking to the dance floor at the Grimsby Auditorium on Friday, November 14 as part of BBC Yorkshire & Lincolnshire’s “Dancing In Need” event to raise money for the Children in Need charity.
Mike will be joining Lizzie Rose & Carl Wheatley from the station’s Breakfast show, weather girl Keeley Donovan and Look North’s Kate Sweeting, Phillip Norton, Amanda White (no relation) and Gemma Dawson.
The 8 ‘non dancers’ have been paired up with trained dancers from around the region who have been attempting to get them ready to jive, waltz and, in Mike’s case, Cha Cha Ca their way to victory all in the name of cha-cha-charity (sorry, we couldn’t resist).
“I used to think I was quite co-ordinated and could pull off a few moves on the dance floor….turns out I was wrong!” says Mike.
“My partner Emily (Fox) must have the patience of a saint because she’s constantly telling me off for putting my heel down first or my arms not being where they’re supposed to be…..but in all honesty, we have a great laugh together and she’s been, as Craig Revell-Horwood might say, ‘fab-u-lous’ to work with”, he added.
However, despite the charitable nature of the event, it appears the competitive juices have already started flowing.
“Although it’s supposed to be a bit of fun, everyone seems to be getting right into it and we’re no different. We both desperately want to win!” he laughed.
The respective couples only started training in early October but are hoping all of the hard work will pay off in Grimsby when they have to impress the judges who consist of BBC Radio Humberside presenter Andy Comfort, actress Julie Peasgood and Keith Clifton, the father of Strictly Come Dancing professionals, Jo and Kevin Clifton (who also happens to be a huge Iron fan).
One thing’s for sure, Mike is benefitting from all of this extra physical exertion.
He added: “I’ve lost over half a stone in just over five weeks…maybe now it won’t be such a tight squeeze getting into some of the rather cramped press boxes we have to work in for our commentaries.”
Tickets are selling fast but are still available for the event on Friday, November 14 for £6 (adults) & £5 (concessions).
You can pick them up at the receptions of the BBC buildings in Hull or Grimsby, from the Auditorium box office or at the Cleethorpes Tourist Information Centre.
Alternatively, you can call 0844 871 3016 (booking fees will apply).