MICHAEL Pattie has a few responses when asked to describe his experience on The People's Strictly, a dance competition for Comic Relief 2015.
"I've so many words I could use," he said with a laugh. "Surreal is definitely one. Daunting. Incredibly exciting. Very humbling, too - the fact that I was chosen out of more than 12,000 nominations."
The Dumfries businessman is partnered by Aliona Vilani in the four-part show, which will see them dance in front of a studio audience and judges on TV next Wednesday night. The winner will be announced live during Comic Relief night, which is being screened on BBC1 next Friday.
Mr Pattie, 57, was chosen to take part in the show after raising more than £300,000 for the Meningitis Research Foundation since 1999, following the death of his 13-year-old son, Dave.
Most of the money has been raised via Mr Pattie's locally-staged Strictly for Charity dance events. In 2013 he was named Scottish Charity Champion, and the foundation says his work has saved lives and that he is the best fundraiser it has ever had in Scotland.
"It's a great honour to be able to represent my town, my country and my charity, too," he said yesterday.
The BBC show is presented by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Mr Pattie is the only Scot amongst the six contenders. The others are English. All were chosen for their tireless work on behalf of others.
"I think I speak for all six of us when I say that none of us sees ourselves as inspirational or special in any way. We do what we do for personal reasons and that is what drives us. If anyone watching us on television sees us as inspirational, that would be utterly amazing.
"The feedback from my friends and colleagues has been amazing. It's been nothing but happy and positive.
"We've done rehearsals on the actual Strictly Come Dancing studio floor. That part of it is utterly terrifying but my partner Aliona has taught me great techniques to control my nerves and give it everything I've got, and not spoil the occasion for me. I have been implementing them."
Mr Pattie said he had put in nearly 60 hours of rehearsals with Aliona for a dance that lasts just a minute and a half.
"It's very technical and it's very difficult, but we want it to look good on the night," he said. "But I love dancing and I would love to learn more.
"It has made me want to take my hat off to the celebrities who appear in Strictly - they get even less time to learn their dances.
"I'm very proud to be the only Scot and also to be raise the profile of the foundation."
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