Helen Bailey
Helen & Tor will be dancing the Quickstep and the Paso Doble
Helen says: "I am really excited about taking part in the 2009 Dance Floor Challenge.
I am looking forward to learning a new skill and am very flattered to have
been asked to take part - my friends are green with envy!
As a former
swimmer and athlete, it's fair to say I enjoy a challenge.
I am currently
teaching PE at the Ladies' College and always expect my pupils to push
themselves out of their comfort zones. It's therefore only fair that I do
the same - and dancing is way outside my comfort zone!"
Tor work's in the design and print industry. In his spare time he enjoys the gym and Dj'ing along with the Latin and Ballroom dancing.
Tor is one of the newest dancers having only started a few months before last years Dancefloor Challenge and after appearing in a fashion show but enjoyed it so much he decided to continue with it. Also, being last years winner he is eager to retain his crown!
Chris & Lyndsey will be dancing the Viennese Waltz and the Jive
Is an accountant at Confiance Limited.
Lyndsey has been competing in both Ballroom and Latin American dancing with her partner Tony for the last 5 years. They compete in many different places on the mainland such as at the Wintergardens in Blackpool, as well as in Guernsey at the annual Yorkshire Guernsey International Dancesport Festival.
Most of Lyndsey's free time is taken up with training for these competitions, but she also tries to fit in a little modern jive and salsa wherever possible, just for a bit of fun!
Chris is Managing Director of ad agency Betley Whitehorne.
He is also the German Honorary Consul for Guernsey.
"My wife Gaby, who hails from Hamburg, says that all good Germans can dance properly, and like to do things well." So as an ‘honorary' German, I now have much to live up to!' says a determined Chris.
Gary Burgess
In his spare time Gary watches telly, eats lots of comfort food and generally avoids all exercise. Indeed his resting heart rate is in single figures
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Gary & Vanessa will be dancing the Viennese Waltz and the Jive
Vanessa works at the family jewellers, Albany Jewellers. Vanessa organises and competes in many dancing events with her husband, Jamie.
Jamie & Vanessa are currently on the Amateur Coaching Scheme and are under the guidance of their Professional Mentors James & Claire Taplin.
Vanessa's hobbies are identicle to Jamie, but also include horse riding.
Vanessa wishes to do well this year as sadly her partner last year was injured and could not take part.
Robbie arrived in the Island in May 1991, and has worked as a residential worker at Le Carrefour Centre. In October 2005 he joined the Island Police Force and was recently appointed as a Community Beat Officer.
Robbie has a 7 year old daughter that attends Hautes Cappeles School and she attends the dancing sessions held at the School.
Most people will know Robbie through his involvement in local football playing, coaching or refereeing. At present playing for the Police in the Business league second division but previously played in the GFA Priaulx League having most success with North in season 2000-01 under Mac Gallienne & Carl Bush.
Regarding dancing, Robbie says "People will claim that I have 2 left feet!! Well if only".
Robbie & Natasha will be dancing the Foxtrot and the Paso Doble
Started to dance when she was a child but stopped at the age of 16 and went back to it about 5 years ago. She now dances Ballroom and Latin, Salsa and Modern Jive. Last year she passed her gold Ballroom and Latin medal tests.
During the day Natasha is a Customer Services Advisor for Bristol and West International. She also enjoys travelling and has visited the USA, Canada, Australia and various places in Europe.
Martel Maides employee Kristina, is looking forward to tackling her rugby playing colleague on the dance floor.
More used to sharing the spotlight with her fellow team mates in her volley ball and soft ball leagues, Kristina is now preparing for the spotlight to shine on her and her partner Jonathan Garrit.
Kristina & John will be dancing the Quickstep and the Paso Doble
Is a hairdresser but for this event will be swapping his cut and blow-dry for the Quickstep and Paso Doble .
Jonathan danced in last years Dancefloor Challenge as one of GADA's dancers and has also competed in Yorkshire Guernsey's Dance Festival last October winning the overall Challenge trophy in the Channel Islands with his dance partner Celena Tabel
John says that nerves are not a problem, and performing in front of large audiences is second nature.
Alex Ford
Alex & Celena will be dancing the Viennese Waltz
and the Samba
Celena Tabel
A glutton for punishment, this rugby playing Estate Agent is back for round two!
After sustaining an ankle injury two weeks before last years event, he has promised his partner Celena he will give up the boots completely this year in a bid for glory.
Last years experience has made him even more nervous this time around and he is banking on the crowds support to propel him around the dance floor.
Celena works for sponsors Martel Maides and started dancing following taking part in the Dancefloor Challenge herself in 2007, in which she was delighted to secure 2nd place!
After winning both the ballroom and Latin beginners sections of the Guernsey Dancesport Festival in October, Celena was thrilled to qualify to compete in Blackpool with her regular dance partner Jonathan Garrit.
Jacqui Gallienne
Jacqui & Tony will be dancing the Viennese Waltz
and the Cha Cha Cha
Tony Penney
Jacqui says: "I
am a forty something mother of 2 teenagers whose natural aptitude for dancing is very very low.
Apart from a short spell at ballet when a child (which is hard to believe if you look at me now), I have not danced except for at the odd disco or wedding and I am not an avid fan of keep fit activities or gyms.
My greatest fear for the competition is being the female version of John Sergeant.
As well as being married to Leon, a politician, I am the Director of Services for Children and Young People at HSSD which keeps me busy, leaving little time to practice my dancing skill.
I am the Challenge of the competition!"
Is a Fund Administrator with the Royal Bank of Canada.
Tony spends most of his spare time training with his regular partner, Lyndsey, for the Ballrooom and Latin American dance competitions that they regularly take part in, mainly in the UK.
Tony also enjoys Salsa and Modern Jive dancing - when he can find the time to fit it in…Richard Harding
Richard & Kirsty will be dancing the Waltz and the Paso Doble
Probably best known as “that DJ with the laugh at Island FM!” Richard wakes up thousands of islanders on the Breakfast Show every weekday morning.
Richard started his career on a pirate radio ship anchored off Tel Aviv and broadcasting to the Middle East. He then went to the legendary Radio Caroline before working for commercial and BBC Local Radio stations in the UK as both a presenter and journalist.
Richard now writes a weekly column every Tuesday in the Guernsey Press. His passion is to help save Guernsey French.
Richard's says he's really looking forward to this experience even though his only experience of dancing is going to a few salsa lessons in Cambridge over ten years ago...
He just wants to survive the evening and avoid tripping over and letting down his dance partner!Kirsty says: "I am 20 and training to be an accountant.
I started ballroom dancing in 2007, and have also trained in other forms of dance, i.e. Ballet, Modern, Tap, and Artistic Roller Skating.
I have recently come back from the World Championships in Chinese Taipei, and together with my skating partner, Darren Dyke, we were excited to have been asked to compete in the World Games for Artistic Roller Skating, also in Taipei, in July next year.
I am looking forward to dancing in Guernsey's version of Strictly, and am hoping for a partner with John Sergeant's personality, and Austin Healey's quick feet!"
Chris & Kelly will be dancing the Waltz and the Paso Doble
Chris says: “I have lived in Guernsey now for 8 years with my wife Sue, who is also competing in the competition.
People would know of me from working with Blue Islands, Jacksons, Island FM and also from perhaps when I was the licensee of Taylors Bar & Brasserie in commercial Arcade.
I've never ever contemplated learning ballroom, let alone competing in a competition, but after attending an event by invitation of Martin Ray during the powerboat week, my wife and I were witness to a truly fantastic display of Ballroom dancing from a couple currently competing on the world circuit.
We then got into the Saturday night TV show “strictly come dancing” and somehow my wife put us forward to compete here.
Although I am going to be a nervous wreck, I am actually looking forward to the challenge, the fitness, which I'm sure I'll need after Christmas, and also beating my wife!
Good luck to everyone, especially my dance partner who toes are sure to get a battering, I'll apologize in advance!”
Has danced since she was a toddler, primarily Ballet and Modern. She attended Chichester Institute of Higher Education where she combined her love of dance with her desire to teach, studying both subjects.
Now a Primary School Teacher, Kelly has lost none of her passion for dance and more recently has added ball gowns to her wardrobe of tutu's.
She is thoroughly enjoying the experience of the Dancefloor Challenge for the third time.
Sue Markham
Sue Markham is the owner and M/D of GBG Magazine.
Sue & Jamie will be dancing the Viennese Waltz and the Rumba
Jamie Le Tissier
As well as being Chairman of GADA, Jamie is a mobile hair stylist and is involved in referral marketing.
Jamie regularly competes on the UK and international dance circuit with his wife Vanessa.
They are currently on the Amateur Coaching Scheme and are under the guidance of their Professional Mentors James & Claire Taplin.
Jamies hobbies include skiing or hot holidays in the winter and dance breaks in the summer, along with fishing swimming diving and walking their family dog Macey
Sarah & Peter will be dancing the Tango and the Paso Doble
Peter Symes
Sarah says: “I am a 32 year old beauty therapist with my own business, Ritual Beauty which I opened in July of this year.
I am also an avid Judo player,with the club Judo Frascati represented Guernsey in the 2007 Island Games and won a Bronze medal, training hard for 2009. I also help with the children's Judo classes.
I have 2 children, Charlotte and Thomas, who together with my Huskie, Massimo keep me very busy.
I was pleased to be invited to partake in the Dance floor challenge, and can't wait to learn the dances, although I am not too sure about all the glitz and sequins, being more used to being in judo gear so this will be a big change for me, but I am excited.........
Peter is Managing Director of Yorkshire Guernsey Limited, sponsors of the Yorkshire Guernsey International Dancesport Association for the last four years and is currently Vice-Chairman of GADA.
Peter took part as a celebrity in the inaugural Dancefloor Challenge in 2006 and has hardly left the dance floor since, competing as a “Dancer” in the last two Dancefloor Challenges and again this year.
This year is a special occasion for Peter, as he will be dancing with one of his four daughters, Sarah Martel who runs her own beauty Salon - Ritual Beauty.
When not dancing Peter can be seen on the golf course or walking his Golden Retriever – Hogan.