Man faces dancing fears for charity event

Nathan Walton said he had not danced since 1985 when he went out clubbing

A man will be hoping to rediscover his long-lost dancing shoes as he aims to raise thousands for charity at a Strictly Come Dancing-style event.

Nathan Walton, from Woore, Shropshire, will be one of 12 people taking part in Strictly Knot Dancing at the King's Hall in Stoke-on-Trent on 3 October.

The event will see participants face off against each other on the dancefloor in front of an audience in a bid to claim the Strictly Knot Dancing crown.

Mr Walton, whose previous charity endeavours included rowing the English Channel and sleeping in a Smart Car for a week, said he had never been more nervous for a challenge.

"Nothing is scaring me more than the thought of stepping out in front of 1,000 people to dance," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

He said the last time he danced was in about 1985 in former Stoke-on-Trent nightclub Tiffany's and he had never done ballroom dancing.

Mr Walton had his first lesson last week and said the thought of putting it all together by the time of the event was a "frightening" thought.

He said his daughter had been filming him during practice, adding: "Putting it bluntly, she doesn't rate my chances... I might surprise myself, who knows."

'It was phenomenal'

Those taking part have been tasked with trying to raise about £4,000 each for Dougie Mac Hospice, Mr Walton said, with organisers aiming to raise close to £100,000 in total.

Mr Walton has been fundraising for the charity for "what feels like a lifetime", he said, and previously worked for the organisation.

In 2023, he lost his mum to cancer and the hospice took care of her for her last seven days.

"It was phenomenal, the care that they gave her," he said. "It wasn't just the care they gave my mum, it was the care they gave us too."

Strictly Knot Dancing will also include "stars from the business world", organiser The Knot Events said.

It is also part of the celebrations for Stoke-on-Trent's centenary, marking 100 years since it was granted city status by King George V.