Press release - 9 October 2017 11:07

Strictly Hadyn – our registrar aims to wow the judges

Bury’s superintendent registrar has married countless couples and now hopes that taking up dancing will prove a perfect match.

Hadyn Keenan is aiming to raise hundreds of pounds for Bury Hospice by taking part in the charity’s Strictly Best Foot Forward competition.

Hadyn is one of 28 contestants who have each committed to raising £400 for the hospice. They are being given lessons at A Touch of Class Dance Studio in Little Lever, provided by professional dance instructors from this studio and from Active Dance in Radcliffe.

The culmination of the challenge is a grand finale at which each couple will perform their dance routines before a live audience at the Longfield Suite in Prestwich on Saturday 9 December.

Hadyn (aged 50), who lives in Ainsworth, has been registrar in Bury for 15 years, following 13 years at Manchester City Council.

He has been partnered with Gemma Hardy, a primary school teacher from Bury, after they both chose to do a rock ‘n’ roll dance for the competition.

Hadyn admits he has never done this sort of dancing before, but was inspired to take part by events in his work life.

“One of my colleagues has become a big fund-raiser for Bury Hospice since her husband passed away in 2015 after spending some time being cared for in the hospice,” he said. “She told me they were short of men for the dance competition, so I volunteered!

“As registrar, I’ve often visited the hospice and people who are terminally ill in their homes to carry out registrations, so I knew in my heart I wanted to do something to help.”

He added: “I chose the rock ’n’ roll number because I didn’t think I could cope with an Argentine tango or a fruity rumba,” he said. “But we have to do three dances, which means learning properly.

“I struggled at the start because I was dancing with people who could really dance,” he said. “But now it’s just the contestants, and we’re concentrating hard on getting the dances right. I’m enjoying it, and really look forward to the sessions.”