Last dance for grandparents thanks to TikTok plea

Olivia Watts reached out on TikTok in her bid to give her grandparents one last dance at the Tower Ballroom

A couple who used to go dancing at the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool are set to revisit the resort one last time, thanks to their granddaughter's online plea.

Olivia Watts reached out for help on social media platform TikTok in a bid to get her grandparents to the Tower Ballroom before her grandfather - who has Alzheimer's disease - goes into a care home.

Ron Hill, 82, headed up the entertainment at the Empire Hotel in the resort for 20 years, until 1986, and he and his wife Marilyn, 80, would often enjoy a dance together in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

"It would be amazing to get them their one last dance," Olivia said.

Olivia said her grandparents would be "over the moon" with the news that they would be able to have one last dance in Blackpool

She said Ron's memory was "fading away".

Along with other health conditions, it means he will be moving into a care home "and won't be able to travel any more".

Olivia said: "My grandparents always loved travelling and unfortunately this is going to be their last trip together but it's a last trip to somewhere that's very sentimental to them.

"Being able to get them on the dance floor of the ballroom would be absolutely incredible.

"We were trying through Blackpool Tower but unfortunately hit a dead end and one of my friends said go to TikTok - and it's gone viral."

Ron was born in Blackpool but the couple now live in Oxfordshire.

"They loved to waltz and jive," Olivia said.

"They absolutely love being the centre of attention. They love chatting. They are proper entertainers."

'Magical place'

When the breakfast show team at BBC Radio Lancashire heard the plea for help, they stepped in.

They reached out to Kate Shane, the head of Blackpool tourism, who not only invited the pair to dance in the ballroom but also promised the resident organist would accompany them.

"We will make sure they play their favourite piece of music," he said.

Olivia said: "It is a magical place and the opportunity to do this is a dream come true for me as well."

She said her grandparents would be "over the moon" with the news.

"I can't wait to tell them," she said. "It's just incredible."