They’re among 16 pairs who will be performing a number of dance routines at three shows in May, for the major fundraising event. Last year’s raised £12,700 for Headway Guernsey and the Guernsey Amateur Dancefloor Association.
Among the other dancers are the new head of Law Enforcement, a reverend, a former Guernsey FC footballer, a student and a number of businesses people.
The other dancers are Martin Haimes and Catherine Haimes, Julie Haimes and Michael Haimes, Dave Hyett and Helen Gains, Karen Michel and Marc McGrath, Debbie Bideau and The Reverend Matthew Barrett, Carine Bichard and Chris Queripel, Kim Bougourd and Mark Griffin, Cameron Riou and Vikki Freeman, Charlotte Trigwell and Ruari Hardy, Wayne Harrie and Ali Martin, Debi Harris and Alex Argo, David Le Poidevin and Lindsay Gourley, Lucy Slimm and Scott Tostevin, Scott Carre and Sue Mosely and Charmaine Garrick and Paul Lawrence.
Pictured: The 2018 Dancefloor challenge raised almost £13,000 for local good causes.
Organiser Jamie Le Tissier said he and his partner, Bonnie Lehr, are used to judging same sex couples in tournaments elsewhere so they wanted to ensure the show they put on in Guernsey offers equal opportunities as well.
“Yes, there is a same sex couple this year,” said Mr Le Tissier, “we decided to do that as it is the right thing to do, there can be no discrimination.
“Bonnie and myself are used to judging same sex couples when we judge competitions in the UK and we feel the Dancefloor Challenge needs to keep up with modern times.”
Mr Le Tissier said he was proud that his show has even beaten the national TV series, Strictly Come Dancing, in introducing same sex couples.
“On Strictly, two of their dancers did do this, but not with their celebrity partners, so hopefully we are setting the pace to what should be happening,” he said. “Liam and Chris will be dancing the Quickstep and a group dance with three dances in it – the Waltz, Paso Doble and Posa Nova, which will be a fun dance for everyone to do.”
The line up for the 2019 Dancefloor Challenge features the usual mix of experienced dancers and island personalities. Mr Le Tissier said it is often easy to find willing participants.
“Generally people send me an email requesting to be a ‘personality’ in the DFC, some times they are nominated by others. I prefer the person themself to confirm this so we know they are really interested though, as it takes a lot of hard work to prepare for the shows.”
As well as a same sex couple dancing for the first time, the 2019 Dancefloor Challenge will also feature a family competing against each other.
“We have a family dancing together as well with Martin and Julie Haimes who have both been dancing with us a while now,” said Mr Le Tissier. “Martin was a former personality in the competition and he is now the professional dancer, and they are dancing with their children Catherine and Michael.
“We’ve never had this before and so we’re really looking forward to teaching them all.”
The couples have all met, and some have started rehearsing already with the main choreography done in the new year when the regular rehearsals start.
The shows this year are being held on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 May.
The format for the 2019 DFC will be the same as it was for 2018, with an informal show night on the Friday, a matinee show on the Saturday and a gala do on the Saturday night.
Ticket prices reflect the different shows with details below. Tickets can be bought directly from the organisers on 12 January, 2019 from 10:00 by calling 07781 115080 or from St Joseph’s Church Hall.
The 2019 show is raising money for the Sarah Groves Foundation and GADA. Anyone interesting in sponsoring a trophy or part of the event to enable more funds to be raised can contact Mr Le Tissier on 07781 115568 or email jamie.letissier@cwgsy.net
Ticket prices are £30 per person for the Friday night, £25 per adult and £12.50 for under 18s and over 65s for the matinee show and £75 per person for the Saturday Gala show.
Pictured top: The participants in the 2019 Dancefloor Challenge. Picture taken by Paul Guillou.