Meet the team Friday contestants for Strictly Inverness 2025
The annual dancing competition Strictly Inverness will be taking place in May.
Novice dancers from across the Highlands and Moray are currently undergoing intensive training to master three different dances, all in aid of the Highland Hospice and Inverness Ice Centre.
Alongside this, competitors are also putting on their event planning hats, hosting a range of fundraisers.
Performers are split into two groups - Team Thursday who will perform on May 15 and Team Friday who will perform on May 16.
So, let’s meet your Team Friday contestants and find out why they have decided to pop on their dancing shoes…
Laura C & Shirlee
Name: Laura Crombie
Age: 44
Where do you live? Contin
Occupation: Massage Therapist
Relationship status and family: Married to Martin Crombie with Kasey (18) & Aaron (17)
Why are you taking part? “I can’t dance and am very self-conscious so I thought this was about as far out of my comfort zone as possible! I love the Hospice and the work they do so happy to take on the challenge.”
About me: Once I start something I won’t quit. I might not get it right but I will try my best.
Fun fact: I recently got nominated and won massage specialist of the year at this year’s Scottish Hair & Beauty Awards.
Name: Shirlee Lumsden
Age: 48
Where do you live? Inverness
Occupation: Warehouse Manager for Highland Hospice
Why are you taking part? “As I’m fast approaching 50 I wanted to do something that was totally out of my comfort zone and be in a position to give something back to two great charities in my community.”
About me: Passionate and caring and I think I’m quite funny.
Fun fact: I’ve had coffee with Robbie Coltrane before he was Hagrid.
Elisha & Chris
Name: Elisha Gilham
Age: 35
Where do you live? Inverness
Occupation: Aesthetic & Skincare Practitioner
Relationship status: Engaged to Jamie (36)
Why are you taking part? “This is an incredible chance to take on a new and exciting challenge while supporting two amazing charities.
“I feel like I will be catapulting myself out of my comfort zone for Strictly but it’s all for a good reason!! The Hospice is a vital lifeline for so many in the Highlands, providing care and comfort not only to patients but also to their loved ones.
“As for the Ice Rink, it was a second home to me in my younger years, where I built lifelong friendships. I’d love for other kids to have the same opportunities to create those special memories.”
About me: A fun, outgoing character who likes to make the most out of challenges.
Name: Chris Dixon
Age: 32
Where do you live? Elgin
Occupation: Video specialist at Highland News and Media
Why are you taking part? “I thought this would be a great challenge for me both physically and mentally. The Highland Hospice is such an important charity and I lost a previous partner to cancer, so I want to do this in memory to him.”
About me: Sarcastic, funny and I love cooking!
Fun fact: Never too far from my boat with my second in command, Juno the collidor.
Natalie G & Danny
Age: 45
Occupation: Community Psychiatric Nurse
Relationship status and family: Married to Mark with daughters Abbie (22) and Sophia (8)
Why are you taking part? “I am taking part as I am aware of the amazing work the Highland Hospice does for so many. It is such an incredible and valuable resource for the Highlands. I did a fantastic trek to Croatia for the Hospice and wanted to do more.
“I also have never danced before and want to see if I can! I will be very much out of my comfort zone but I like a new challenge!”
About me: I’m passionate about the things in life I love. I like to consider myself as a kind human. I love to laugh.
Fun fact: I love cold water swimming. It allows me to be present in the moment and enjoy the wonderful scenery we have in the Highlands.
Name: Danny Heaton
Age: 35
Where do you live? Fortrose
Occupation: Chef
Relationship status: Married to Megan Heaton. We have two dogs, Jenga and DJ
Why are you taking part? “I wanted to challenge myself, try something new and raise some money for Highland Hospice and Inverness Ice Centre.”
About me: Absolute legend, likes a good laugh with his mates and going to watch the Mighty Rangers.
Fun fact: I won Junior Chef of the year 2008 for the British Army Culinary Arts Team and had trials at Gordon Ramsay Plane Food at Heathrow Airport.
Michaela & Gavin
Name: Michaela Newlands
Age: 34
Where do you live? Alness
Occupation: Beauty Salon owner
Relationship status and family: Married to Ryan Newlands (32) with Brodie (18), Roby (16), Murray (14), Ella (7) and Alvie (2).
Why are you taking part? “I wanted to be part of this once in a lifetime experience, meeting new people, building forever friendships, learning to dance and most importantly raising as much money as I possibly can for the Inverness Ice Centre and Highland Hospice, a charity close to many hearts.”
About me: I’m a fun, friendly, hardworking person. I love to laugh and make people happy!
Fun fact: I used to own an ice cream van, I still get shouted at by kids when on the street, “There’s the ice cream lady!”
Name: Gavin Ordish-Smith
Age: 32
Where do you live? Conon Bridge
Occupation: Track manager at Inverness Kart Raceway
Relationship status: Married to Eleanor Jayne Ordish-Smith (31)
Why are you taking part? “I wanted to challenge and push myself in something brand new. This opportunity and experience is one I have always wanted, and I can’t wait to get started! To fundraise for such an amazing cause is an even better reason for taking part too!”
About me: I would say I am a very energetic and outgoing person, I don’t take myself too seriously and look to spread my passion for life on to others.
Fun fact: I worked abroad for five years as a Sports Supervisor for travel company TUI and their 5-star concept for families (TUI Sensatori) delivering high-end quality activities to hotel guests. From Tenerife to the Dominican Republic, then to Turkey where I met my now wife. My claim to fame through this was that I performed my aqua aerobics class in the Caribbean to the celebrity John Barrowman.
Becky & Michael
Age: 29
Where do you live? Alness
Occupation: Content creator & business owner
Relationship status and family: Married to the luckiest man alive - Fraser, age 29 (I know, he looks a lotttt older than me!) with Tommy (7)
Why are you taking part? “I went my whole life not losing any of my family members - to losing my granny, granda, auntie and uncle within a few years of each other and very quickly after diagnosis (3 weeks – 3 months.)
“I couldn’t live with the helpless feeling I had after losing my Granda in October 2024, and trying to raise money for charities and give back to people was the only way I felt like I could be useful.
“My granny and granda loved to dance and one of my favourite videos of is of him shaking his little hips to the Eagles at my wedding. I know he would be looking down with a big grin on his face proud as punch watching me.”
About me: Just a hopeful (though some would say delusional), passionate and driven girl who strives for perfection and always has others best interests at heart.
Fun fact: I get itchy armpits when I’m nervous so if you see me scratching them before, during or after my dance...mind your business!
Name: Michael Mackenzie
Age: 40
Where do you live? Croy
Occupation: Inverness Sales Manager - Molson Finlay Scotland
Family: Son Rhys (18) and daughter Grace (14)
Why are you taking part? “I wanted to do a challenge completely out of my comfort zone where I can raise as much money as possible for a cause close to many hearts in the Highlands.”
About me: Outgoing person who likes to make people laugh and can put my mind to any challenge.
Fun fact: I have competed in the Ultra White Collar boxing three times now and won all three! The last time was in May 2023 raising over £8k for the Highland Hospice.
Tanya & Elle
Name: Tanya White
Age: 33
Where do you live? Beauly Pharmacy Technician
Relationship status: Single
Why are you taking part? “I enjoy watching Strictly, have seen a few live performances from Strictly Inverness and always felt like that was something I could do and take part in, even though I know I can't dance.
“The Hospice has a special place in my heart, as they provided amazing services when my mum became terminally ill with cancer and passed away in their care in 2011. The care we all received as a family was exceptional and I would like others to benefit from their care and services.”
About me: I love living life to its full potential, I like to enjoy as many experiences as possible even if it terrifies me.
Fun fact: I like to volunteer to play music in the Inverness Schools Wind Band (French Horn is my instrument.)
Name: Elle Campbell
Age: 19
Where do you live? Inverness
Occupation: Barista at Costa Coffee
Relationship status: In a relationship with Olivia (19)
Why are you taking part? “My pops was in the Hospice for a few weeks towards the end and they really helped him. My little brother also visits Crocus Highland to help with his mental health.”
About me: I would say I’m very honest, I love a challenge and I'm caring.
Fun fact: I have had a short story and a poem published in book when I was younger.
Eilidh & Ian
Name: Eilidh Collis
Age: 46
Where do you live? Inverness
Occupation: Recruitment Consultant
Family: I have three children, Rory (21), Holly (17), Caoimhe (11)
Why are you taking part? “I thought it was about time that I stopped dancing in my kitchen with the mop and become the inner dancing queen I was born to be!
“My dad was a beautiful dancer and would waltz me around the room whilst standing on his feet. I hope he’ll me looking down on me as I dance in his memory. I’ve been needing a challenge to push myself and build my confidence and I couldn’t think of a more worthy charity to do it for.”
About me: Bubbly, outgoing, wild spark who is caring and loyal and can tell a hundred stories in one!
Fun fact: I leaped on a leap year by doing a bungee jump off the Killiecrankie Bridge into the pitch-black night sky!
Name: Iain Riddle
Age: 58
Where do you live? Inverness
Occupation: Self-employed gardener
Family: I have a daughter Emma (26)
Why are you taking part? “I decided to take part this year as I think I am pretty much the perfect candidate. I’m a blank canvas as far as dancing goes!
“The nearest I’ve been to dancing is in the mosh pit at a rock gig! So this is a real challenge. I’ve also wanted to get involved in doing something for charity, and I couldn’t think of any more worthy than Highland Hospice.”
About me: Happy, loyal friend. Easy going, hard-working, someone who does his best to achieve to my best ability.
Fun fact: I’m a keen angler and compete at a high level nationally. I have represented Scotland internationally at team level in the past. Who knows, I may again in the future...
Maz & Natalie
Name: Maz Orrock
Age: 44
Where do you live? Dalneigh, Inverness
Occupation: Full-time mum and admin with Highland Security
Relationship status and family: Engaged to Shug (41). Children Skye (24), Isla (20) and Imogen (7)
Why are you taking part? “I always see Strictly and think I would love to do that, so this year I thought ‘why not’?! And also for the amazing charity Inverness Ice Centre which is vital for locals for curling, hockey and family skating which my daughter loves.
“I know Highland Hospice does great work and helps a lot of families when they really need it.”
About me: Goes with the flow and creative/energetic aura
Fun fact: I’m a big geek and love going to Comic Cons! I’m also ambidextrous
Name: Natalie Gordon
Age: 35
Where do you live? Inverness
Occupation: Barber
Relationship status: In a relationship with John Burns (39)
Why are you taking part? “I’ve been needing to do something for charity – this is a brilliant way to start and for such a good cause. It’s also a good way of building my self-confidence.”
About me: Caring, fun, kind, reliable and trustworthy.
