Erin Boag supporting Bupa's Global Challenge 2011

Day five - Friday 24 June - The last dance!

A grand finale at Golfhill in Glasgow with a crowd of 50 packed in the biggest lounge. A great noisy, fun-packed session with residents and relatives and yet more pink boas! All taking part with gusto in the fox trots, seated jives and rumbas.

You know I'm not sure that it's really in the rules that men have to wiggle their bottoms in the rumba!

Our oldest resident of the day was 97 and soon we were all ready for a cuppa and yet more cake. But first resident Mary - a keen ballroom dancer in her younger days - on behalf of the residents presented Erin with an ''Erin bear" that she had built herself specially.

So thanks Golfhill, thanks everyone who joined in the fun throughout the and thanks Erin - strictly a star all week.

Oh yes, I said I'd reveal Erin's ideal Strictly partner; it's Prince Harry, or Prince William - or Piers Brosnan.
Sadly ... Not me!
 

Day four - Thursday 23 June

It’s a “home” fixture today as we join the team at Airedale Residential Home in Pudsey, Leeds. It’s not far from care services HQ and so we’re also joined by colleagues from Bridge House. The ladies from banking were also strutting their stuff alongside community affairs doyenne Siobhan Drane, residents and visitors.

Erin was in fine form and even the men from the media were unable to avoid her clutches. An unsuspecting Liam from Leeds Weekly News and his fellow press man from the Yorkshire Evening Post were soon wiggling on demand in Erin’s rumba for the ladies. Lots more laughs and a great session thanks to Dianne and her team.

Then it was back into the car and on the road to Teeside’s Elmridge Nursing Home near Middlesbrough.

Home manager Helen Saunders had the widest age range of residents that we have encountered – from 30 to 80 years-old. Activities co-ordinator Maurice had been busy and the home was decked out with bunting while the residents, their relatives and the home team looked splendid in pink boas. Everyone was soon having a great time and Maurice got his dance with Erin, too.

We also instigated a new “no dance, no interview” rule with the media - so soon we had the worried-looking male reporter from the Evening Gazette and Lucy from the Northern Echo doing a “New York” along with staff and residents! We also took pity on the BBC Look North and organised a repeat dance session for their cameraman who arrived just as we were finishing.

A great afternoon ended with Erin asking if they would invite her back again. The answer was a resounding Yes! Time to cross Hadrian’s Wall and head to Glasgow for tomorrow.
 

Day three - Wednesday 22 June

A short hop down the motorway took us to Carders Court in Rochdale just in time to see the contemporary dance display from a local school – who were also keen to join in with Erin.

More foxtrots and rumbas – with colleagues from the regional centre next door joining the residents and their families. This time it was 79-year-old George who led the dance with Erin. But it was also great to hear from another resident who shared his memories of playing piano in a dance band – and is still playing his favourite tunes on his own keyboard in his room: “Not like the modern stuff – that Dr Ga Ga!”

Erin’s also revealed the person she’d most like to be her next TV dance partner – tell you who tomorrow!
 

See video footage of Erin's visit to Carder's Court

Day two - Tuesday 21 June

First stop The Priory residential home in Shirley, Solihill, just outside Birmingham. Erin started with a foxtrot with residents, staff and relatives. Then into the rumba (aka “the dance of love”) where Erin got some of the chaps doing the rumba complete with hip action and bottom wiggling.

Bupa’s regional director found there was no escape from Erin where the rumba’s concerned. Let’s just say that as a dancer he makes a good regional director!  

Among the highlights of the day was being joined a lady just a couple of years away from her message from The Queen. Another great session of laughs and smiles.Then it was off to Derby – Aspen Court in Spondon - where children from the local primary school’s dance class were waiting to join in. With 97-year-old resident Kitty on hand we literally had an age group spaning 7-to-97 . All having fun and getting some exercise dancing with Erin. They’ve all promised to keep dancing and to vote for Erin.

Day one - Monday 20 June

First to Northlands House Residential and Care Home in Southampton to find residents, relatives and friends had donned pink boas to join Erin in the Shall We Dance morning. Erin showed them a few moves and after a quick rumba round floor residents shared their dancing memories. Erin led the way on a movement to music session where one gent definitely took a shine to her - which certainly helped to get the party going.

All too soon it was time to move on – but not before Erin had her photograph taken with a spritely lady of 101. Best of all was the son of a resident who said: “Dad doesn’t want to get involved in many activities – it’s great to see him joining in .”

On the road to Market Lavington near Devizes in Wiltshire and it was all action with couples joining Erin for a spin around the dance floor – including the Mayor of Devizes herself!. Again boas were in evidence - this time white and sparkly. For those who didn’t feel up to a foxtrot – Erin led them in a series of movements so no one was left out.
Erin also showed off a couple of her glamorous TV dance costumes – leaving many of the ladies marvelling at how they stay together! More dancing and questions from the residents which showed how many of the are firm “Strictly” fans, - plus a promise they’ll vote for Erin in future!

Thanks to all the brilliant carers and activities teams at both homes for being such great hosts – an d for showing us some nifty moves of your own!
Right , Solihull and Derby dust off your dancing shoes – Erin’s on the way.