A BURY man is taking part in a Strictly-style dance competition in memory of his best friend’s wife who died of cancer aged just 48.

Nicola Groves was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in April and died in Bury Hospice on June 27, leaving behind husband Mark, and their two boys, Jack, aged 13, and Alex, aged 7.

Now, Mark’s best friend Tom Johnson, aged 54, has taken up the challenge of competing in the Hospice’s Strictly Best Foot Forward competition later this year.

Mr Groves said: “Nic only went into the hospice on the Friday and died on the Tuesday but the care and support we were shown in that time was incredible.

“A lot of people were so touched by the way the hospice dealt with us that we vowed to do something to help them at some point.

“I then saw their post on social media saying that a male contestant had dropped out of Strictly and they were looking for a replacement.

“I shared it and then a friend of mine tagged Tom to say ‘this has your name written all over it’.

“Tom rang me and asked what I thought and I said it would be up to him. He is not a dancer, he is six foot three and 19 stone. He is not nimble at all."

Despite having no previous experience Mr Johnson decided to take on the challenge, and has been taking it so seriously that he has even splashed out on private lessons.

He said: “It’s not as easy as I thought because obviously I’m a complete novice, but I’m doing the best I can.

“I don’t think anyone can believe that I’m doing this. I know that Nic will be up there laughing her socks off at me.

“The hospice were brilliant with Mark and family during a difficult time so I just had to do something to support them.”

The competition pits 12 couples against one another, all of whom will undergo 12 weeks of dance lessons before the finale at the Longfield Suite in Prestwich on Saturday, December 9.

Mr Groves said: “It’s really fitting that Tom is the one doing it because both him and Nic were huge fans of Strictly.

“It is amazing that we have a service like the hospice on our door step. You hope you never need it but if you do then the service they do provide is absolutely amazing.

“Nic’s room at the hospice was calm, quiet and peaceful and they just left you to your own devices until you needed something medically.

“I can’t think of a better place for Nic’s treatment than there. It is such a dignified place for people to spend the end of their lives.

“They only have limited beds there due to funding and it would be great if we can help out so that more people can have that support if they need it at the end of their lives.”

So far more than £1,800 has been raised for Bury Hospice and a further £700 to £800 was raised last weekend when Mark, Tom and friends were invited to hold a fundraiser at Best in Bury butchers, in Canon Street, by manager Ben Wardle.

To donate visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tom-johnson29.