12 January 2023
Old Kirkhamian, Will Norris, is putting on his dancing shoes to take part in a ‘Strictlyesque’ national dance competition in aid of Tia’s Crown – a charity set up to support mental and physical wellbeing through free Let’s Dance sessions and who provide grants to other charities who work in line with what they want to achieve.
Will, an Assistant Head at a special needs school who attended KGS from 1999-2006, will live the Strictly dream in ‘Dance Floor Heroes’ at Blackpool Winter Gardens on Friday 24 February following a long process of heats all over the country.
He, along with 11 other novice dancers, will pair up with a professional dance partner as they train in a bid to win the Glitterball!
Will, who struggled with depression after the death of his son from a rare genetic illness in 2015 said: “I was fortunate enough to have people around me to pick me up and help me move forward. My wife wanted me to do this for myself, as well as to raise awareness.” Will and Nichole lost their first child to lethal skeletal dysplasia, a rare genetic condition that developed in the womb.
He will travel to Leicester for weekend rehearsals with his professional dance partner before the big fundraising finale in February.
Will, who had no experience of ballroom or Latin dance when he attended the first heat last April, said, “It’s all very secretive. I’ve never done anything on this scale before, it’s as near to Strictly Come Dancing as you can get.”
He attended a full day’s heat and a workshop at Blackpool Winter Gardens which involved learning some dance routines and taking part in team-building activities.
Will said, “My professional dance partner now has the challenge of turning a flat footed, energetic, slightly uncoordinated and non musical person into a dancer in a very short period of time!”
A spectacular presenting team and live singer have already been announced and confirmed for the event including BBC Strictly Come Dancing Pro and Champion, Flavia Cacace-Mistry, former Strictly Pro and It Takes Two Panellist, Ian Waite, Singer, Shane Nolan and live singer, Passmore - as well as an incredible judging line up: Lilia Kopilova, Kristina Rhianoff, Pasha Kovalev and Nikita Kuzmin!
To donate to Will’s JustGiving fundraising page, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/willthedancingteachernorris
If you fancy going along to support Will on Friday 24 February, tickets can be purchased at: https://www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/events/dance-floor-heroes-live/