Racing's biggest 'Strictly' fan Dan Skelton to make ballroom debut in charity dance contest

Top trainer Dan Skelton has an important date to keep when he returns from holiday - his first dancing lesson.

Multiple Cheltenham Festival winner Skelton is the leading jumps trainer in Britain, finishing runner-up in the last two championships to Ireland’s Willie Mullins, whose overriding goal is to wrest the title from his record-breaking rival and secure his first training crown.

Yet over the next few weeks he will have another distraction, learning how to quickstep, tango, foxtrot or waltz as he prepares to take part in the first ever racing version of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.

The charity event, being organised by Racing Welfare, will feature well known figures from horse racing competing in two ballroom dancing competitions, one staged at Newbury on November 2 racecourse and one at York on November 8.

Skelton and his wife Grace are among those who have signed up as well as the broadcaster and commentator Derek Thompson. The couples will take part in a group dance and a solo dance and will be judged by a celebrity panel.

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“It’s a great cause,” Skelton told Mirror Racing. “Number one, we always do everything we can to support Racing Welfare.

“Number two, as a family, Strictly is always our favourite show to watch. We’ve always said if we ever got the chance to do something like it, we'd do it, so me and Grace are going to give it a go. We have our first lesson on Monday.”

He went on: “I’m not a good dancer, bloody awful in fact. We are just going to enjoy it. We’d like to be better than people think we will be. That’s the extent of it. Our teacher will have her work cut out. I will have to be a good listener.”

Racing Welfare is in the process of finalising the line-up of ten couples who will take part in each night ahead of tickets going on sale on September 15. The couples will undergo eight sessions of training with professional coaches.

Dawn Goodfellow, Chief Executive of Racing Welfare said: “We are absolutely delighted by the incredible interest in Racing Come Dancing. It is wonderful to see so many people from across the racing community coming together to get involved and support the event, from trainers to jockeys, stable and racecourse staff.

“Not only does it promise to be a fantastic evening of entertainment, but it will also help to raise crucial funds that enable Racing Welfare to continue providing vital support to those working in the horseracing industry.

“We are so grateful to everyone who has signed up and look forward to announcing our finalised list of dancers when tickets go on sale on 15th September.”