IT WAS the television show which inspired husband and wife Helen Parker, aged 56, and Steve, aged 51, of Springfield Road, Biddulph, to banish their inhibitions and put on their dancing shoes.

The pair co-run photography business A1 Fotograffix and recently began having lessons themselves at Congleton dance school Groove Academy.

"All through my life, I was a hopeless dancer and felt very uncomfortable on the dancefloor because I always felt a bit silly," says Helen, who went along to her first salsa class with her husband in August.

"The main reason we both decided to start going to dance classes was because it is excellent exercise.

"But we've since found it's also a lot of fun. Every week, there was a rock 'n' roll class straight after our salsa class, so we thought we'd try that as well, and now we do both."

Steve adds that dance classes were something he and Helen had always wanted to do, but had never got around to until this year.

"I'd lost a lot of weight, so I was looking for a way to keep fit that I could enjoy doing on a regular basis," he continues.

"As we'd always talked about going to a dance class, we decided to give it a try and it's great.

"We have a laugh, but at the same time we're learning something new."

Avid fans of Strictly Come Dancing, the pair will be among several million viewers glued to their television sets for Saturday's finals.

Helen says: "I think Lisa Snowdon might just make it. People really warm to her. She's a big, tall girl which has made it harder for her, and she has really improved. Now, she's so elegant and beautiful, and I love her attitude and personality."

Steve adds: "Tom Chambers is good too, but I agree with Helen. Lisa has been the underdog all the way through. I'd like to see her win, because she deserves it."

Groove Academy holds classes in Congleton, Leek, Stafford and Stoke. For further information, call 07984 419653.