Slimming World consultant inspired by Nan and daughter's love of Strictly to brave Queenscourt challenge

By Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport

Southport Slimming World Consultant Dee Wright was inspired by her beloved Nan and her daughter Autumn to take on the challenge of a Strictly dance competition to raise funds for Queenscourt Hospice.

She was among 11 determined dancers who performed out in front of hundreds of guests in the ballroom at the Prince Of Wales Hotel in Southport, stepping out of her comfort zone to do Strictly Queenscourt in honour of her Nan, Dylys, who died from cancer in 2005, after being cared for by the Queenscourt Hospice team.

Dylys, Dee and her mum Shelagh had been huge fans of Strictly Come Dancing when it began in 2004 and when her Nan passed they carried on the family tradition by watching the popular TV dance show, on Saturday nights, ever since Autumn was born in 2012.

Dee, a former holiday rep and Contingency Planning manager for TUI, was over 17 stone in weight when she started her weight loss journey, which saw her lose seven stone and after losing a stone herself she lost a further 6 stone with Slimming World and later became a Slimming World consultant in 2017.

Southport Slimming World Consultant Dee Wright was inspired by her beloved Nan and her daughter Autumn to take on the challenge of a Strictly dance competition to raise funds for Queenscourt Hospice. Photo by MAF Photography

She currently leads six Slimming World classes every week at St Simon and St Jude’s Church in Southport.

Dee said: “Strictly Queenscourt was amazing! I loved taking part, to have been part of a team of dancers who raised over £50,000 for our local hospice was unbelievable.

“People have been very generous. I am aiming to raise more funding throughout this week. I’m over £1,500 at the moment and grateful for anything that people can donate.

“Queenscourt is a wonderful charity and has a very special place in my heart, my first experience of the hospice was with my Nan, Dylys. She was diagnosed with cancer and received day care through the Hospice and palliative care at home through Queenscourt before she died in 2005 and more recently for my uncle.

“Nan was wonderful – she was a really beautiful and kind person and an important part of my life growing up, especially after Grandad died when I was eight. And when Strictly started in 2014, Nan was a huge fan! She watched it avidly.

“Even when she was in hospital, after her cancer diagnosis, she watched the show. She loved watching Anton Du Beke and Erin Boag and used to tell us tales of when she used to enjoy dancing when she was younger.

“After my daughter, Autumn, was born, we started watching Strictly, often dancing around our living room together!

“We have been to see quite a number of the live Strictly live shows. This year we were able to ask Giovanni Pernice, Lauren Oakley and Kai Widdrington from the show if they would record videos to be played at our Strictly Queenscourt night in Southport, which they kindly did.

“Kai and Strictly Theatre company also donated 2 tickets to his Evolution Tour show coming to Southport at the Atkinson on Wednesday 18th June 2025.

“When we moved home to Southport in 2017, Autumn joined dance classes with Anna from Ace Studios.

“Last year I went to Strictly Queenscourt to support one of my Slimming World members, Julia Abram who took part and my members were saying to me ‘you should do it!’ So when Queenscourt asked if I would, I said I’d do it!

“Due to a knee injury, I asked if I could dance with Anna, Autumn’s dance teacher, which they were happy to agree to. Anna is also a fellow Slimming World consultant in Southport, so she knows all about the value of dancing for building up your ‘body magic’ and getting more active which is something we encourage at your own pace.

“The challenge of doing Strictly Queenscourt is in the memory of my Nan, and to take me out of my comfort zone doing something I have never tried before. I also wanted to show Autumn and my Slimming World members that you can do anything you want if you set your mind to it. Never say never!

“At Slimming World we help our members to make healthier food choices, get more active and change their mindset. Earlier this year I was proud to take part in the Star Trekk walk for Queenscourt with members who hadn’t taken part before. It’s a joy to see our members achieve things they didn’t dream possible before weight loss.

“From speaking with the Queenscourt Fundraising team, I know how vital raising funds for Queenscourt is, to maintain their vital services in our communities across Southport, Formby and West Lancashire.

“It is a local resource which our local community desperately needs. If people can give just a little bit, then it can help to make a huge difference to the services that Queenscourt provides.”