THE Duchess of Cornwall and her former dancing partner Craig Revel Horwood joined osteoporosis sufferers for a dance spectacular in Oxford last night.

Camilla is president of the National Osteoporosis Society (NOS), and Strictly Come Dancing judge Mr Revel Horwood is its patron.

He greeted the Duchess at Oxford’s New Theatre for the special performance of Strictly Confidential, a spin-off from the popular BBC TV dance competition.

During a visit to St Clement Danes School in London for World Osteoporosis Day in 2009, Mr Revel Horwood and the duchess danced an impromptu cha-cha – though there was no repeat of that yesterday.

Last night the Duchess also met Oxfordshire’s Lord Lieutenant Tim Stevenson, area theatre manager Elizabeth Adlington, and local representatives from the NOS.

Gilly Bramley, from Wootton near Abingdon, is a member of the Oxford support group for the charity. She shook a bucket in the theatre to take donations for the society and was one the founders of the support group in 1998.

The mum-of-three, 66, who lives with husband Tony, 68, said: “Osteoporosis is a condition that one in two women and one in five men over 50 will suffer. My grandmother, my mother and two of my aunts struggled with osteoporosis and that’s why I wanted to get involved.

“It’s wonderful to see Craig and the Duchess here in Oxford.”

Theatre manager Elizabeth Adlington said: '”As far as we are aware this was the first royal visit to the theatre since it was built in 1934.

“'It was a wonderful show and a great night for the charity.”

The Duchess became president of the society in 2001.

In the show programme, she wrote: “I became involved with the NOS following the deaths of my mother and grandmother from this devastating disease.

“So working with this unique charity, which does so much to help millions of people suffering from this so-called silent disease, is a cause very close to my heart.” The dance routines featured Strictly contestant and former Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley and professional dancers Natalie Lowe, Artem Chigvintsev and Ian Waite.

Mr Chigvintsev said: “The crowd was amazing – the best so far.

“The Duchess said she was looking forward to the next season of Strictly. She said she would watch for me, which was nice of her.”

The crowd cheered as the Duchess met the dancers on stage at the end of the show.

Ms Riley said: “The Duchess said to me ‘Do you have any idea what an inspiration you are to so many people in this country? You just keep going and I don’t know how you do it’.”

Mr Revel Horwood said: “I am absolutely delighted that Her Royal Highness has been able to accept my invitation to join us as a very special guest.”

He told the audience to give generously, adding: “Please no change darlings, just £20 notes and above.”