I HAVE a confession to make – I'm not from Bolton.

I'm from Barrow-in-Furness, a town often described as a place at the end of “longest cul-de-sac in the country”.

This might be true – but it's a bloomin' beautiful cul-de-sac, cutting through the outskirts of the Lake District – but it will always have a very special place in my heart (as anyone who has ever met me will know).

And now it has another reason to be proud of itself – Hairy Bike Dave, the undoubted comedy star of this year's Strictly Come Dancing.

Yes, he may not be the most light-footed dancer on the floor (to put it mildly) but he's hilarious, warm and great to watch.

Not only that, he's one of the nicest blokes I've ever been lucky enough to meet.

On one Lavender family outing to a restaurant in Barrow we bumped into both Simon and Dave.

I'd had one a two glassettes of wine and (embarrassingly) asked him for his autograph.

Not only was he more than happy to hand it over, he posed for pictures and came over to share a drink with our table – what a legend.

Vote Dave – it would make the country smile if he won this year's Strictly.