Duncan Bannatyne takes to the dancefloor for charity

Feb 8 2010 by Kim Carmichael, The Journal

A NORTH East tycoon swapped his suits for sequins in aid of charity. Multimillionaire businessmen and stars of TV's Dragons' Den Duncan Bannatyne and Peter Jones took to the dancefloor for a Strictly Come Dancing Sport Relief special.

The tables were turned on the duo, who are more used to making or breaking the dreams of budding entrepreneurs than getting down to the serious business of dancing.

Instead of flashing their cash they were strutting their stuff, with Strictly judging panel Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood and Len Goodman watching their every move.

Teesside-based Bannatyne and Jones paired up with professional dancers Natalie Lowe and Lilia Kopylova.

The Strictly Sport Relief Special, hosted by Tess Daly, was filmed yesterday and will be aired on BBC One on Friday March 19.

Other highlights of the Sport Relief weekend include a new sketch from James Corden and special editions of Ashes to Ashes, MasterChef and A Question of Sport Relief.

Bannatyne, who was awarded an honorary doctorate from Teesside University last year, was awarded an OBE partly in recognition for his work with charities.

All of the money raised during Sport Relief, taking place on March 19, 20 and 21, is spent by Comic Relief to help disadvantaged people in the UK and across the world’s poorest countries.

Since its launch in 2002 more than 1.25 million people have taken part in Sport Relief, helping to raise over £75m.