TELEVISION dance stars are bringing their strictly-honed skills to judge Bolton Hospice's popular charity dance competition.

Strictly Come Dancing 2015 finalist and Bury actress Georgia May Foote will be joining choreographer to the stars, Jack Murphy, who will be returning to Bolton after filming in the town for BBC Two show You Make Me Feel Like Dancing.

The pair will be celebrity judges at the Bolton Hospice Strictly Learn to Dance Finale taking place in April.

Jack has spoken of his excitement in having a chance to be involved with the hospice and Bolton's dancing scene following on from the BBC Two programme which attempted to start a revival of social dancing in the town.

He said: "I believe they have 900 volunteers at the hospice so I am volunteering to be 901.

"I am flattered and privileged to be asked to take part in such a fantastic event. Those people taking part are doing such a fantastic thing to raise money for the hospice and commit so much of their time. It is humbling on every level.

"The hospice relies on fundraising to deliver its services to the community for free. My cousin is a midwife and nurses for a hospice in the Isle of Man so I understand how important the service is and delighted to take part.

"It takes a lot of courage to take to the floor so I will be a very sympathetic judge!"

Georgia is currently taking part in the Strictly Come Dancing Tour with her Strictly co-stars and her partner, Strictly professional dancer Giovanni Pernice.

The actress, who played Katy Armstrong for five years in Corrie, will be visiting arenas across the country with the live tour until February 14 before swapping the dance floor for the judge's chair.

Tweeting Bolton Hospice, she said it would be an "honour" to join the charity event.

Twenty couples have been training to perfect their moves for either the salsa, cha-cha, rock 'n' roll or the Argentine tango. The event is now in its fourth year and raised over £35,000 last year alone.

Maria Passerello, events manager, added: “We are thrilled with the interest that this event has created. We have participants age from 17 to 70 which only goes to show that dancing is popular for all ages and raising funds for the Hospice is close to all their hearts.”

The contestants are having weekly lessons at a Touch of Class dance studio to prepare for the Grand Finale at The Whites Hotel from 7pm on Saturday, April 9.

Tickets are limited and for more information, call Grace or Maria on 01204 663055.