Bricket Wood couple to strus their stuff in new cruise ship dance competition

RUMBA fanatics John and Patricia Kaye have danced their way to the final of a competition which will take place aboard a glamorous new superliner. The couple from Hyburn Close, Bricket Wood, are one of 12 couples who will perform in front of a panel of pr

RUMBA fanatics John and Patricia Kaye have danced their way to the final of a competition which will take place aboard a glamorous new superliner.

The couple from Hyburn Close, Bricket Wood, are one of 12 couples who will perform in front of a panel of professional dance judges headed by ballerina Darcey Bussell in a competition ahead of the naming ceremony of P&O Cruises' 115,000-ton ship Azura.

The semi-final takes place on April 9 on board the cruise liner in Southampton and the grand final will take place the following day.

Regular cruisers and experienced dancers Mr and Mrs Kaye got through to the final stages of the competition after winning their heat on an earlier P&O Cruises holiday.

They are members of the Otter Dance Club in Bushey but most of their practising takes place in their front room.

Mr Kaye, a retired doctor, said: "We're really excited about our big day strutting our stuff on Azura's dance floor, but we will try and keep the smiles on our faces "strictly" in place."

The overall winner will get to stay on board the boat to see Darcey officially name the ship in a VIP ceremony.

P&O Cruises managing director, Carol Marlow, said: "Our competition was open to all ages and we look forward to some stiff and lively competition. Our inspiration for Azura is 'back to the future,' evoking the romance, elegance and glamour of British cruising at its best.

"Dancing has a key role to play in this and Azura will be the first of our ships to have a large dance floor at the heart of the ship in the atrium.