Celebrity dancers wowed guests at the Saint Francis Hospice ball in Thurrock, which helped raise �30,500 for the hospice.

Strictly Come Dancing stars James and Ola Jordan performed four dances; samba, rumba, pasa doble and the cha cha cha.

James said: “It seemed like a brilliant evening and walking around talking to guests I saw how they had been touched by the speeches and the charity’s work.”

Eastenders actress Cathy Murphy and actor Marc Bannerman were also amongst 300 people that attended.

Guests at the event on September 17 were also treated to a three-course meal, disco, a performance by singer Josh Dubovie and an auction.

Nettie Keene and her son Danny from Clayhall, shared their experience with the guests as Saul, Danny’s brother, was cared for by the hospice, which also treats patients from Barking and Dagenham before he died from a brain tumour in 2008.

Havering Mayor Cllr Melvin Wallace said: “It was a fabulous night, the meal and the entertainment were great.”