´óÏó´«Ã½

Ben, Lesley and teacher Jenny

Ben is brilliant – he's my partner from Ipswich School of Dancing who'll be helping me through the Dancers in Need Show at the Spa Pavilion and although I think he's starting to realise just what he's taken on he's staying calm and reassuring.

I have never done any dancing before (unless you count a bit of boogying on the disco floor) and yet in five weeks and three days we'll be gliding across that stage, at least that's the plan.

During our two lessons I have already learned some dancing jargon - whisk and chasse, rondeÌýpromenade and wiggle those hips – now I just have to teach my feet how to do them!

Although part of me is scared stiff as the show approaches, and it's really ruined my enjoyment of Strictly on a Saturday night, I have also discovered I enjoy dancing and that it's great exercise - not just for the body but also for the mind.

Maybe by the 12th I'll be slimmer as well as a wonderful dancer – or maybe I can just dream on.

Actually at night I don't need to count sheep to get to sleep,ÌýI just try to remember our routine -Ìýturn, 2 3, promenade and syncopated run, 2 3, ronde,2, 3, spin………………………………snore.

Stop press - Salsa Ali's new shoes arrive!

By Alison Acton

I'm so excited. I've got my new dancing shoes!

I decided I'd buy my own so I can practice in them and after a lot of searching I found some quite reasonably priced ones on eBay, in Hong Kong of all places.

Salsa Ali's special delivery

They arrived at ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Suffolk today and I've been trying them on. They're a bronzy colour and have proper suede bottoms for dancing.

They are slightly too big for me but I'm determined that they'll be fine, I've had to wait a week to get them and I know that Lesley Dolphin has her eyes on them so they're not coming off my feet.

I've only had one session with my dance partner James so far.Ìý He is very good (or so he tells me!) and he said I'd feel better when we started, but actually I feel worse!

I did do some ballroom and latin when I was at university and I can remember the basics, but this is so much more complicated and, I'll be honest, I've never taken it very seriously before.

I just don't want to make a fool of myself on the dance floor!