Derbyshire Unstrictly Dancing 2026

Derby and Derbyshire are bracing themselves for a night of glamour, laughter and spectacular dancing as the full line-up for the 2026 Derbyshire Unstrictly Dancing fundraiser is revealed. Eleven high-profile local personalities will take to the ballroom floor on 27th June 2026, partnered with professional dancers, in front of a live audience, all in the name of charity.

Organised by Unity is Community CIC, the event was born from Theresa Peltier’s tenure as High Sheriff of Derbyshire, during which she saw first-hand the transformative power of arts and community events. Co-founder Jonathan Leach of Indigo Drum Communications has helped grow it into one of the county’s most beloved fundraising occasions, raising vital funds for incredible local causes.

This year’s event will raise funds for The Lewis Sewell Memorial Trust, The Living Recovery Foundation and Rebuild East Midlands, while also supporting children’s places at Derby Kids’ Camp and Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre.

A community event born from high office
Unstrictly Dancing has its roots in Theresa Peltier’s time as High Sheriff of Derbyshire, a role that gave her a unique window into both the challenges facing communities across the county and the incredible difference that arts and creativity can make.

Theresa Peltier is the co-founder of Unity is Community CIC. She said: “When I was High Sheriff of Derbyshire, I saw communities across this county doing extraordinary things with very little. Unstrictly was born from a belief that we could harness the energy of Derby’s business and civic life, the people who make things happen, and channel it into something that genuinely changes lives. Watching it grow into what it has become fills me with immense pride. Every ticket sold, every pound raised, and every dancer who steps bravely outside their comfort zone is a testament to the generosity of this wonderful county.”

From the council chamber to the cha-cha…

Also stepping into the spotlight is Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council, who is preparing to swap council meetings for cha-cha steps, partnered with professional dancer Max Appleby.

When it comes to leadership, Nadine knows all the right moves and never misses a step. From budgets to big ideas, she leads Derby with the poise of a professional Waltzer and the stamina of someone delivering an energetic Charleston. A lifelong fan of musicals and an avid singer, Nadine has always believed that life is better with a little razzle-dazzle, and maybe a jazz hand or two.

Whether she is building her vision for Derby’s future or belting out show tunes at karaoke, she brings energy, warmth and sparkle to everything she does. This event, she says, could not be a better fit, combining her love of community with her flair for the dramatic.

Cllr Peatfield said: “I have always believed that the best leaders know when to step up, when to take a bow, and occasionally, when to just go for it on the dancefloor. Derby is a city with an extraordinary community spirit, and Unstrictly Dancing captures that perfectly. I am absolutely delighted to be taking part and to support such wonderful local causes. My sequins are ready. Whether my feet are ready is another question entirely.”

A baronet takes to the ballroom

Among this year’s stars is Sir Richard Fitzherbert, who lives on the 2,000-acre Tissington Estate with Tissington Hall as its centre. Sir Richard is Chair of Visit Peak District and Derbyshire and served as High Sheriff of Derbyshire in 2025/26, where he championed rural communities. A former wine merchant and DJ who made two appearances on Top of the Pops as part of the jiving crowd in the early 1980s, he is partnered with professional dancer Bethany Gardiner.

Sir Richard said: “I have spent a great deal of my life in the countryside, championing rural Derbyshire and the communities that make this county so special. When I heard about Unstrictly Dancing and the causes it supports, I knew I had to get involved. Whether my two appearances on Top of the Pops in the early eighties count as professional dancing experience is very much open to debate, my partner Bethany may have a view on that. But what I can say with absolute certainty is that this is a wonderful event for a wonderful cause, and I am honoured to be part of it.”

From prime location to prime mover on the dancefloor
Also stepping into the spotlight is Chris Birds, Joint Owner of  a local property management business, Fellow of multiple professional bodies, Presiding Magistrate in Derby and Deputy Under Sheriff of Derbyshire, Chris is no stranger to high-pressure situations. He has trekked to Everest Base Camp, completed the London Marathon and multiple Great North Runs. Now he faces his toughest challenge yet, dancing in front of a live audience, partnered with Drisha Mistry and Neema Johal.

Chris said: “I have stood in courtrooms, scaled mountains and negotiated some of the most complex property deals in the East Midlands, but I can say with complete honesty that nothing quite prepares you for learning to dance. I have enormous admiration for the charities this event supports, particularly the Lewis Sewell Memorial Trust and the vital work it does. If swapping my suit for sequins and making a complete fool of myself raises money for causes this important, then I will dance with everything I have got, and I am assured by Drisha and Neema that there is plenty of room for improvement.”

Bravery, sequins and a brilliant cause
Co-organiser Jonathan Leach of Indigo Drum Communications has paid tribute to the courage of this year’s contestants, who are each stepping well outside their comfort zones to raise vital funds for charity.

He said: “Every year I am genuinely moved by the bravery of the people who say yes to Unstrictly Dancing. These are busy, successful people, council leaders, business owners, broadcasters, community champions, and every single one of them is willing to look a little silly, work incredibly hard, and give everything they have got in front of a live audience, all for causes that really matter. That takes courage. Derby and Derbyshire should be enormously proud of each and every one of them. I cannot wait for 27th June.”

Dancing for Lewis
One of the principal beneficiaries of this year’s event is The Lewis Sewell Memorial Trust, a charity close to the hearts of everyone involved in Unstrictly. The Trust was established in memory of Lewis Sewell to support young people and families across Derbyshire.

Gillan said: “Lewis was vibrant, full of life and loved by everyone who knew him. Events like Unstrictly Dancing keep his memory alive in the most joyful way possible, through laughter, community and people coming together for something bigger than themselves. We are so grateful to Theresa, Jonathan and everyone involved in Unity is Community CIC for choosing to support the Lewis Sewell Memorial Trust again this year. Every pound raised makes a real difference to the families we support, and we know Lewis would have absolutely loved every moment of this show.”

Meet the Unstrictly stars 2026

Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council
Lifelong musical theatre fan and avid singer, Nadine is swapping council meetings for cha-cha steps, partnered with professional dancer Max Appleby. Whether delivering budgets or belting out show tunes at karaoke, Nadine brings energy, warmth and sparkle to everything she does.

Chris Birds, Chartered Surveyor
A seasoned adventurer and community stalwart, Chris has conquered Everest Base Camp and the London Marathon. Now he tackles his greatest challenge, the dancefloor, partnered with Drisha Mistry and Neema Johal.

Steven Thai, CEO
Known as ‘The Prawn King’, Steven arrived in the UK as a refugee from Vietnam and built a thriving Derby-based business over nearly three decades. Confident on leadership, less so on Latin, Steven is partnered with professional dancer Grace Kolasa.

Emily Williamson, Senior Journalist and Presenter, BBC East Midlands Today
A lifelong Strictly fan who made her dancing debut aged four, Emily is thrilled to finally swap the newsroom for the dancefloor. Expect sparkle, sass and spectacular entertainment. Emily is partnered with professional dancer Ben Sharpe.

Lisa Marriott, Head of People and Culture, Embark Federation and Chair of Rebuild East Midlands
~Lisa spends her days encouraging others to step outside their comfort zones and Unstrictly is her chance to practise exactly what she preaches. By her own admission she cannot dance, but she is bringing all the heart and humour you could ask for. Lisa is partnered with Sophie Ross.

Sophie Jepson, IT Project Manager
A proud Derby Kids’ Camp volunteer and self-confessed first-on-the-dancefloor at every party, Sophie brings a background of family dance routines and boundless enthusiasm to her Unstrictly debut.

Sir Richard Fitzherbert, Tissington Estate and Chair, Visit Peak District and Derbyshire
Landed gentry, former DJ and two-time Top of the Pops crowd member, Sir Richard brings heritage, humour and genuine passion for Derbyshire’s communities to the dancefloor. Partnered with Bethany Gardiner.

Dr Caroline Lowery-Spafford, Strategic Partner in Higher Education, Loughborough University
A self-confessed lover of lifelong learning and lava lamps, Caroline grew up watching Come Dancing and daydreaming about performing. As a Trustee of The Living Recovery Foundation, she dances to raise funds for people courageously rebuilding their lives. Partnered with Louise Collinson.

Emma Pilgrim, Events and Partnerships Manager, Derby County Community Trust
The mastermind behind the Derby 10K is a lifelong Strictly fan and natural competitor. Emma brings serious sporting discipline and serious enthusiasm to the Unstrictly floor. Partnered with Debi Hedderwick.

Roxy Fearon, Senior Social Worker, Entrepreneur and Rugby Community Leader
A self-styled disco-dancing king of the late 1970s, complete with trophy to prove it, Roxy is fully loaded on ibuprofen and ready to bring the moves back. Partnered with Emma Charlton.

Tom Morgan, Managing Director, trentbarton
Responsible for keeping thousands of Derbyshire commuters on time every day, Tom’s timetabling skills have proven less transferable to remembering dance steps. Partnered with Sammy Rosser, his goal is simple: survive the night.

The charities
The Lewis Sewell Memorial Trust, supporting young people and families across Derbyshire in memory of Lewis Sewell.

Donate: www.justgiving.com/page/lewissewell

The Living Recovery Foundation, supporting adults recovering from addiction to rebuild relationships and reclaim their lives.

Donate: www.justgiving.com/page/livingrecoveryfoundation

Rebuild East Midlands, a small but mighty charity supporting adults who have experienced modern slavery and exploitation to rebuild their lives.

Derby Kids’ Camp and Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre, providing vital respite and memorable experiences for children across the region.

Event sponsors
Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Please contact Dean Jackson at deano@huubdesign.com for further information.

Book your tickets
The Derbyshire Unstrictly Dancing 2026 takes place on 27th June 2026 at REACH Conference Centre, Proctor Park, Derby, a fantastic venue that will provide the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable evening of dancing, laughter and charity fundraising.

Tickets are available in three options:

• Full dinner and show, including a two-course meal with a glass of fizz and wine, followed by the full Unstrictly spectacular.
• Grazing bowl and show, a relaxed dining option with a generous grazing bowl, perfect for a sociable evening.
• Show only, join us for the Unstrictly performance and soak up every moment of the entertainment.

Whatever you choose, you are in for a spectacular night. Tickets are available now at: www.unstrictly.co.uk