SOLICITOR Claire Egerton laid down the dancing law to lift the much-coveted Glitterball trophy following a formidable night of tripping the light fantastic at the fourth Strictly Kershaw’s.

The O’Donnell’s director topped the judges’ scoreboard with her partner and mentor, Jack Easton, producing a faultless maximum score 40 for their rumba second dance after leading at halfway with their tango.

Claire was given perfect 10s by chair of judges, Gill Bussey, dancer Lee Marsh, drama teacher Kathryn Wolfenden and the Coliseum's Cinderella panto star, Shorelle Hepkin - standing in for unavailable actress Sue Devaney - at the Strictly dance fundraising spectacular at Queen Elizabeth Hall on Friday.

A stunned Claire said: “I am astonished to win – it has been such a fantastic experience and there will be a part of me that will be very sad come Thursday evening when I won’t be going to meet up with Jack and the rest of the dancers.

“We have all become so close with this and we are all winners because we have learned to do something that we never thought possible – dance in front of 300-plus people.”

Light-on-his-feet Home Instead director, Mick Sheehan, won the People’s Choice prize after he and partner, Abbie Royal, got the text votes buzzing with toe-tapping Lindy Hop and Charleston routines.

"I can’t believe I have actually done it," said Mick, whose care business Home Instead sponsored the event.

"I had days during practice where my mind went blank and I couldn’t remember a single step!"

The evening started with a contemporary dance routine by local dance group Fierce Dance – who count Dr Kershaw's fundraising superstar Keira Arnold amongst their talented ranks.

The 10-year-old, who is the current Institute of Fundraising awards national young fundraiser of the year and was crowned one of Greater Manchester's outstanding health and care champions in July, later returned to the stage to present the prizes.

Heyside Cricket Club chairman Joe Warburton had the tough task of being the first of the six competitors to perform.

“I was nervous but this is something I will always remember with pride,” said Joe as he celebrated later with partner Amy Rogers and his army of supporters.

He was followed by popular takeaway owner Kwok Wong, who did well to keep his emotions in check in dedicating their first American smooth performance to a friend who passed away at the Royton Hospice only two days earlier.

Kwok, who got sponsorship support from his Ree Ming customers, was determined to hit the £,2,000 mark - plus he'd had already written the 'big' cheque - so after completing his show-stopping cha-cha-cha with partner Lia Kiely he dashed around the QE Hall to mop up more donations from members of the appreciative audience.

Executive head teacher, Michelle Dicken’s supporters had their own handmade ‘10’ paddles and cheered her on through her rumba and salsa numbers with partner, Marco Maestro.

She later gave gifts to Madd for Dance owners Sean and Carole Madden on behalf of the dancers for their untold hours of commitment in helping them polish their routines.

“We have all become so close and we just cannot thank the Madd for Dance people enough for giving us the experience of a lifetime.”

The line-up was completed by stalwart hospice supporter, Oldham police officer, PC Damieon Hartley Pickles.

“I have climbed mountains to raise funds for the hospice but nothing was as tough mentally as this and I am delighted to have been able to show my friends and family that I can actually dance,” said Damieon after performing the Viennese waltz and paso doble with mentor, Shannon Royal.