Opinion: Rotorua's Dancing with the Stars more than just glitz and glam

I tip my hat to anyone who steps out of their comfort zone and does something they never thought they could do.

That's exactly what 10 couples did when they took to the stage in front of thousands of people on Saturday night, performing in this year's Harcourts Dancing with the Stars.

All the dancers were incredible and the painstaking effort they had each put into perfecting their dances was clear to see.

The lifts, twists, cartwheels and jumps were so professionally executed it was easy to forget the couples had only started learning to dance a few weeks ago.

Of course I'm going to be a little biased and say our sports reporter David Beck and his partner Natasha Whitewood were beyond amazing - but I sure am glad I didn't have the job of the judges because they really had their work cut out.

The panel of Dame Valerie Adams, Tamati Coffey, Suzanne Paul and d'Artagnan Kennedy had a great blend of genuine critique and playful banter that kept the audience entertained and eager for the next dance.

In the end, it was Abbie Proudley and Ricky Brackfield who deservingly took out the top spot with their energetic, high-speed jive.

Image 1 of 22: Dancing with the Stars. 28 July 2018 Daily Post photograph by Stephen Parker

But scoring and technique aside, I think every single local who had the guts to get up on that stage and dance was a winner.

Putting yourself out there is never easy so I applaud each and every dancer for doing what many wouldn't even dream of doing.

Next year we will see another group of locals put their fear aside and step up to the challenge and I have no doubt they will use this year's dancers as their inspiration.

While the event was all about the glitz and glam, nobody - neither the dancers and judges nor the crowd - lost sight of the real reason we were there -to support Rotorua Hospice, a worthy and sometimes under-appreciated service.

It will take a few days for the total amount raised to be collated but I'm sure it will be a mammoth figure, a testament to the ever-generous community we love to live in.