Charity judge

After being crowned the winner of the 2017 Variety Strictly Ballroom event, and helping raise over £40k for the charity, Morley Glass and Glazing managing director Ian Short is getting his scoring paddles ready as he joins the judging panel for this year’s event.

Gethin Jones, semi-finalist on Strictly Come Dancing 2007 and roving reporter on Strictly Come Dancing It Takes Two, will return as host.

Judge Ian Short, who individually raised over £10k towards last year’s final overall total, said: “Winning last year’s Strictly Ballroom event was honestly lifechanging for me. Not only did I learn to dance, I also quit smoking and lost over six stones in weight. In June this year I was lucky enough to be invited to see the money Variety raises being put to good use first hand when the charity asked me to present Mill Field Primary School in Leeds with its own new Sunshine coach.

“It’s a very worthy cause and I am delighted to be able to continue my support for the work they do. I hope this year’s contestants are ready for the work they need to put in to be the very best and I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do in October.”

Variety, the Children’s Charity, is dedicated to improving the lives of sick, disabled and underprivileged children. Its objective is to increase their independence, level of confidence and self-esteem, providing them with the opportunity to reach their full potential.