A BRADFORD mental health nurse has beaten more than 2,000 applicants to be named a finalist in NHS Strictly.

Louise Pickin, Community Mental Health Nurse at Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust is one of 12 finalists selected to take part in the fundraising event in Blackpool.

The application process started last summer when the idea for an event for NHS staff to raise funds for the NHS was born with the final contestants being selected from a home-made 60 second video to showcase why they should be selected.

Louise said: “I love all things strictly and am so excited to be taking part to raise money for the NHS, it definitely feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity”.

"I danced when I was younger but have never done latin or ballroom before so it will be a challenge, I don’t know whether I’m most looking forward to learning the dance with a pro, or wearing the outfits yet."

"Rehearsals should have started by now but because of the current lockdown we’ve been unable to, I met my professional partner online last week to find out what dance we’ll be doing, to which I am over the moon with, and we will start rehearsing together as soon as we are able to.”

After a number of weeks of rehearsals, the grand finale event will be taking place in front of current Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers as the judging panel at Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

Each couple will be competing to raise money via JustGiving and all money raised will be going to support the NHS.