Morley MD gets ready for charity judging role

After being crowned the winner of the 2017 Variety Strictly Ballroom event, and helping raise over £40k for the charity, Morley Glass & Glazing managing director Ian Short is getting his scoring paddles ready as he joins the judging panel for this year’s event.

Among those competing for this year’s title will be Variety Yorkshire board member David Wilson and his wife Gail, Bruce Lightbody; partner at Addleshaw Goddard, Nicola McNally; MD of McNally Electrical Group and Mahmood Mazhar; CEO of Core Telecom. They will be joined by Jilly Johnson, Bev Burrows, Lisa Black, Andy Smith and Stephen Pressley. The ten contestants have already begun tirelessly training with their very own professional dancers, getting ready for the final show, where they will battle it out for this year’s glitter ball.

Gethin Jones, semi-finalist on Strictly Come Dancing 2007 and roving reporter on Strictly Come Dancing It Takes Two, will return as host alongside the fabulous judging panel. The event will also benefit from a little expert dance help courtesy of dancing school Wallflower Dance in Buxton, with all choreography being overseen by owner and professional dancer, Victoria Coultas.

Judge Ian Short, who individually raised over £10k towards last year’s final overall total, said: “Winning last year’s Strictly Ballroom event was honestly lifechanging for me. Not only did I learn to dance, I also quit smoking and lost over six stones in weight. I’ve continued to dance with my professional partner, Olivia Choi from Freedom2Dance studio, and we’re even entering a competition together later this year. 

“In June this year I was lucky enough to be invited to see the money Variety raises being put to good use first hand when the charity asked me to present Mill Field Primary School in Leeds with its own new Sunshine coach. It’s a very worthy cause and I am delighted to be able to continue my support for the work they do. I hope this year’s contestants are ready for the work they need to put in to be the very best and I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do in October!”

Variety, the Children’s Charity is dedicated to improving the lives of sick, disabled and underprivileged children. Its objective is to increase their independence, level of confidence and self-esteem, providing them with the opportunity to reach their full potential.

This year’s Strictly Ballroom event will take place on Wednesday 10^th October at Bowcliffe Hall in Bramham, Leeds. Standard tickets are £25 with children’s tickets £10 and all proceeds going to help Variety continue its important work. Doors will open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. For more information or to book your ticket contact Variety Yorkshire on 01132 459937 or email yorkshire@variety.org.uk.

To donate, please visit: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/varietystrictlyballroom