Award-winning Strictly Extravaganza launches for 2027

Monday 10th Aug 2026

Forest Holme has officially launched its award-winning Strictly Extravaganza 2027, fresh from being named Special Event of the Year at the national Emma Awards, as ten brave local amateur contestants came together for the first time to discover the dances and songs they will perform when they take to the stage at Lighthouse, Poole on Saturday 23 January 2027.

The launch celebration took place at Bourne View Care Home, hosted by headline sponsor Colten Care, where contestants, sponsors and the hospice charity team gathered to mark the start of their Strictly journey with fizz and canapés. This year’s line-up also includes Laura Davis, Senior Marketing & Events Manager at Colten Care, who is taking part as one of the ten contestants representing the headline sponsor.

The ten amateur dancers, who are all fundraising for Forest Holme Hospice Charity, met Championship dancer Oliver Beardmore, who leads the training programme, before discovering the dance styles and songs they will perform on the big night, when they will each be partnered with a professional dancer.

Claire Cooper, Events Manager at Forest Holme Hospice Charity, said, “The launch event is always such a special occasion because it’s the moment our contestants discover exactly what lies ahead.”

Over the coming months, contestants will take part in intensive rehearsals under Oliver’s expert guidance, preparing for an unforgettable evening of entertainment while raising vital funds to support specialist palliative and end of life care across Dorset.

Claire continues, “We can’t wait to watch their journeys unfold while raising vital funds for Forest Holme Hospice Charity and we’d like to thank Colten Care for once again providing such a wonderful setting to launch the event.”

Since its debut in 2023, Strictly Extravaganza has become one of the charity’s flagship fundraising events, with the 2025 event raising more than £80,000.

Laura Davis, Senior Marketing & Events Manager at Colten Care, said, “Strictly Extravaganza is all about saying yes to something that feels a little daunting, knowing it’s all for an amazing cause. There’ll definitely be plenty of laughs and a few aching muscles along the way but if it helps raise money for Forest Holme, it’ll be worth every step.”

Strictly Extravaganza 2027 takes place at Lighthouse, Poole on Saturday 23 January 2027. Guests will enjoy a sparkling drinks reception, a three-course gala dinner with wine and an evening of spectacular live entertainment as ten local contestants compete for the coveted Glitterball Trophy.

Tickets are available here