Paul Drewery is used to wowing the public – he led the talented Maloney’s team which won the best in the world title at flair bartending.
The owner of House Of Ivy cafe bar in Southport has now been showing his bottle by learning some very different skills as he again looks to win over audiences, this time at the Strictly fundraising event for Queenscourt Hospice.
Paul He said: “I have no dancing background at all!
“The extent of my dancing skills is waving my arms in the air when we’re hosting our famous Singalong Bottomless Brunches at the House Of Ivy.
“I’d had a couple of vodkas one Saturday when Hayley Jones from Queenscourt Hospice came up to me and said ‘you’d be great for Strictly!’
“She asked me if I wanted to do it, and I signed up.
“Hayley has been hassling me to do it for the past couple of years, and caught me at a weak moment.
“I’d never even watched Strictly on TV before! It’s on TV on Saturday nights, when I’m always working.
“I had my first dance lesson with Kaz Leach at Marshside School Of Dance and walked out thinking ‘what am I doing’?
“I thought I had made a dreadful mistake. I always thought I could possibly dance a little and then after those first sessions I realised I couldn’t dance at all!
“But it’s become easier since then. The practice is working.
“Like flair bartending, it’s all about putting together a good routine and then working really hard to get it right. It’s coming together.
“I came third in the world in the World Flair Bartending Championship in 1995; then I was part of the Maloney’s team which won the World Flair Bartending Championship five years later.
“It was an amazing experience. Second that year was the Carnaval Court in Las Vegas; third was Voodoo Lounge in Las Vegas; fourth was China Jump in Hong Kong. They are massive bars in big cities. We had a lot of bartenders from around the world who used to come and see us in Southport after that.
“For Strictly, I have a superb dance partner in Chloe Judd, who’s brilliant to work with.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better dance partner. I’m really excited about Strictly now.
“We’re working on putting together a jive routine – of a sort!
“We have a few surprises in our performance which we hope the audience will enjoy.
“I think the routine and the music we have got will reflect the 35 years I have spent here in Southport.”
The main aim of Strictly is to raise awareness and funds for Queenscourt Hospice, with people invited to sponsor Paul via his JustGiving page: Paul Drewery is fundraising for Queenscourt Hospice
Paul’s reasons for supporting Queenscourt Hospice are deeply personal.
He has been a big supporter of the hospice for many years, for example through hosting the opening part of their Jail and Bail fundraisers in recent years.
He said: “All of my family have been devastated by cancer; parents, grandparents and others have lost their lives to it.
“My Mum died from a brain tumour.
“My Dad had lung cancer and spent the last two and a half weeks of his life in the Queen Elizabeth II Hospice in Gateshead.
“They were brilliant. I have seen first hand the amazing things that hospice like Queenscourt do and I want to support them all I can.
“Any hospice which does the job that they are doing deserves the utmost respect.
“I’m very grateful for everyone who has donated to my fundraising appeal.”
Strictly Queenscourt returns for its third dazzling year on Saturday 15th November 2025.
After two unforgettable sell-out events, the event is back with even more sparkle, sequins, and show-stopping moves!
This year’s glittering line-up features 12 courageous contestants, each paired with a professional dancer, a panel of fabulous judges, two sensational hosts, and a night full of entertainment – all in support of Queenscourt Hospice.
Queenscourt Hospice is delighted to return to the stunning Prince of Wales Hotel for what promises to be another spectacular evening of fundraising and fun.
Each contestant is aiming to raise a minimum of £1,500 in sponsorship, so please dig deep and support their incredible efforts.
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