EMMERDALE stars are among a celebrity line-up preparing to joust for the king and queen of the dancefloor title in medieval-themed fundraiser for Dr Kershaw's Hospice.

The star-studded extravaganza, Knight of Dance, was the dying wish of former patient Russ Burns, from High Crompton, who passed away at the hospice last year.

Russ, aged 65, who had multiple myeloma, told his wife June just days before he died she had to raise funds for the hospice in recognition of the excellent treatment he received from Kershaw's At Home Service and as an inpatient

So less than a year later she's already rounded up an impressive list of celebrities - some of which we can't reveal until nearer the time.

Those signed up for the June 30 dance off included Emmerdale stars Samantha Giles who plays Bernice, Michelle Hardwick who plays Vanessa and Mike Parr, who is Ross in the soap.

Former Hollyoaks’ actor Greg Kelly will also be tripping the light fantastic on the night and, along with Samantha and Michelle, recently visited Dr Kershaw's to meet up with some of the local dancing talent who they will be partnering up with.

Other confirmed dancers are Real Housewives of Cheshire star Leanne Brown - who is married to footballer Wes Brown - and Emmerdale’s Liam Fox (Dan), Amy Walsh (Tracy), Joe Warren-Plant (Jacob) and Laura Norton (Kerry).

Leeds-born Michelle - also known as the receptionist in the ITV medical drama The Royal - admitted she has no dance experience.

And she had the dancers in the room at the hospice in stitches when she was visibly disappointed there was no "Jive" as the dances were ballroom and Latin.

When she was told Jive is Latin she replied: “See, that’s how much I know about the dancing!"

June and her friend Julie Garrity ran a similar event at Bolton Wanderers FC last year for The Christie and Manchester Royal Haematology.

Actress Samantha won the event but she said she will just be happy to learn a new dance and be part of such a worthwhile occasion to raise funds for Dr Kershaw’s.

Greg already has an affinity with the hospice movement and jumped at the chance to take part in the celebrity dance event.

The actor, who doubles up his stage and TV work with a backstage technician role at The Palace Theatre in Manchester, lost his father in 2016 and Greg and his family have already raised an impressive £9,000 for St Ann’s Hospice, Manchester, where his father spent his final weeks.

“I have other fundraisers planned for St Ann’s but I am delighted to join the team for this event. Dancing is certainly going to be a big challenge.”

Once the full line-up is confirmed the pairs will be put into four teams and each team will be represented in a series of super-dances where judges rank them.

Each pair will be expected to learn and dance one ballroom and one Latin and he team with the lowest total will be crowned the winners.

Training is due to start in the next few weeks.

June is expecting high demand for the £50 tickets, which will include a three-course meal.

There will be a limited number of VIP tickets - priced £75 - which will include a champagne meet-and-greet with the celebrities at the start of the evening.

Tickets are due on sale soon but can be reserved by emailing fundraising@drkh.org.uk.