South Shields roots for comedian Chris Ramsey to make it to Strictly Come Dancing final ahead of show's musical special

The programme will host its annual musical special and quarter-finals on Saturday, November 30 – with Chris and dance partner Karen Hauer taking on an Oliver-inspired Foxtrot to Consider Yourself.

Dad-of-one Chris is one of the competition’s final five celebrities and as he prepares to take to the floor once more, South Shields and the wider North East has thrown its support behind the couple.

Here’s how you have been backing our campaign to see our favourite performing pair lift the Strictly Glitterball trophy at the grand finale on Saturday, December 14.

The journey

Jane Morton, teacher at Learning Ladders – a study centre offering maths and English tuition in Cleadon and Hebburn – has been joining her students in cheering Chris on since Strictly’s start.

This week, armed with posters, the youngsters urged their local community to pick up the phone and vote ahead of this Saturday’s show.

Jane told the Gazette: “At Learning Ladders, we’re all behind Chris! For us, Chris is what Strictly Come Dancing is all about. The journey.

“As viewers we want to go on that journey with the dancer. We can see how hard Chris is working on these new skills.

Therefore, we think Chris deserves a place in the final to represent what Strictly is all about!”

Sanddancer superstar

Ray Spencer MBE, executive director of The Customs House in South Shields, has been flying the flag for Chris since day one, all the way back in September.

The comedian was made an honorary fellow of the theatre in 2015, alongside Jason Cook and Sarah Millican, in recognition of the achievements and contributions to the arts and entertainment industry.

In a Tweet following Chris’s Paso Doble in week 10, Ray said: “All voted for the boy who became a man tonight. Eight from Craig, good job Chris Ramsey you probably heard us cheering! Sanddancer superstar!”

The Customs House also put up a poster backing Chris and Karen ahead of the competition’s live start.

Karen Ratcliffeadded: “Everyone at The Customs House feels like proud parents! Our boy continues to make us all so proud.”

All the way to the final

The Gazette launched its #VoteChris campaign after the comedian was paired up with professional dancer Karen in August this year.

And since its start, the readers have been out in force, determined to keep the couple out of the dreaded dance-off, which decides the couple going home each week.

In interview, 33-year-old Chis has repeatedly thanked the public for their support and touching messages.

Here’s just some of what you had to say this week.

Pamela tweeted us a message, which said: “I vote for Chris every week. I love to see his face when he hears he's going through!”

Dani J said on Twitter: “Wishing you and Karen loads of success next Saturday and beyond - nothing stopping you lifting that glitterball just believe and do everything Karen tells you and you can do it! Much love.”

Donna Jones tweeted: “We love Chris in our house and we are rooting for him to go all the way to the final. He's improved week on week and is the epitome of what Strictly is about.”

Patricia Hogg: “Give it a lot of welly. Behind you all the way.”

May Pulham: “Go boy, go!”

Abeer Bayyat: “Well done Chris!”