THE competition for the Strictly Oxford glitterball trophy is set to hot up after dancing partners were unveiled.

Sixteen contestants from across the county, ranging from heart surgeons to business directors, are set to take part in this year’s dance-off, the city’s fundraising version of the hit BBC show.

Training started on Saturday with a three-hour session to introduce people to the moves.

The finale takes place in front of an audience at the New Theatre on July 21.

Among those taking part is Millius Palayiwa, director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, a spiritual peace movement, who will partner Olga Antonowicz.

Father-of-two Mr Palayiwa said: “I haven’t danced for years and not the sort of dancing they are going to teach us.

“Occasionally I dance with my children, but not for three hours.”

Mr Palayiwa, 64, who is married to Dr Eileen Palayiwa, said the initial training session was tough and he was still stiff for days afterwards.

He said the challenge would be mastering the steps of the various dances, but he was looking forward to learning the routines and taking part in the final.

Fellow contestant Victoria Condratova, director at accountants firm Adbell International, said a friend who took part last year recommended her for the competition.

She said the training session was “brilliant” and added: “I really enjoyed it. It was quite a good experience and I’m really looking forward to it.

“I do zumba and danced as a child so I can’t say I’m a complete amateur, but I’m not a professional either.”

Organiser Mary Carey, of Step By Step Dance School, said: “Saturday was the first training session when they had three very intensive hours of tuition from Andrzej Mialkowski, the owner of Step By Step, and other dancers.

“They got partnered up and over the next six weeks will have very intensive dance tuition with their partners.”

The event, in its second year, will raise money for care home Vale House. Last year’s Strictly Oxford raised £37,000 for the organisation.