Meet the team Thursday contestants for Strictly Inverness 2025
The annual dancing competition Strictly Inverness will be taking place in May.
Novice dancers from across the Highlands and Moray are currently undergoing intensive training to master three different dances, all in aid of the Highland Hospice and Inverness Ice Centre.
Alongside this, competitors are also putting on their event planning hats, hosting a range of fundraisers.
Performers are split into two groups - Team Thursday who will perform on May 15 and Team Friday who will perform on May 16.
So, let’s meet your Team Thursday contestants and find out why they have decided to pop on their dancing shoes…
Mags & John
Name: Margaret Young
Age: 58
Where do you live? Inverness
Occupation: Support Worker
Children: Stefan (35), Jade (31) and Shannon (24)
Why are you taking part? “I have lost my brother John, my dad, and Stefan and Jade's dad, to cancer.
“Stefan and Jade's dad died of a cancerous brain tumour.
“I have known friends who have died in the Hospice under the best care so I know how valuable it is.
“Jade also received support when younger from their Crocus Highland child bereavement service. I have nothing but admiration for Highland Hospice in all that they do.”
About Mags: “I am a loving gaga to Jack and Ivy and believe family is everything, as well as being the best friend you'll ever have.
“I’m supportive and caring and will definitely make you smile when you’re having the worst day.
Fun fact: “I’ve been told by a relative that I am related to Eminem - not sure about that!”
Name: John O’Brien
Age: 59
Where do you live? Inverness
Occupation: Construction Manager
Children: Luke (33), Penny (30) and Edward (14)
Why are you taking part? “My oldest two children were very successful in this in 2022 and 2023 and their mother in 2013, and they have all been pressing me to do it since then.
“They got their dancing skills from their grandmother, who was a great dancer at family parties and she passed away in October 2024. This is my wee tribute to her, a woman that I owed a lot to.”
About John: “I am the sort of person who would rather let others decide that for themselves, as long as they have all the facts.”
Fun fact: “I bought my first of thousands of records in 1979 and ended up working for the band and singer Roxy Music/Bryan Ferry. 45 years later I walked into HMV in Inverness to see his latest album at number 13 in the album charts, an album that I worked and was credited on.”
Erin & Rachel
Name: Erin Smith
Age: 29
Where do you live? Inverness
Occupation: Area team member for Harry Gow and bar supervisor at Locker Room
Relationship status: Boyfriend is Joe Farquhar
Why are you taking part? “My partner’s grandad, Brian had been supported by Highland Hospice, the care and love he received from them was fantastic. I’ll also be 30 in August so I thought I’d take on something out of my comfort zone!”
About me: “Outgoing and love to take on a challenge.”
Fun fact: “I was on two different TV shows!”
Name: Rachel Smart
Age: 30
Where do you live? Inverness (originally from Aberdeen)
Occupation: Journalist
Why are you taking part? “I applied a few years ago so when the opportunity to take part came along this year, I jumped at it.
“The Highland Hospice helps so many people, and cancer touches every person’s life.
“My dad had bowel cancer a few years ago, and thankfully he has recovered, but I know how much support he got from people when it came to life-changing surgeries.
“Inverness Ice Centre is also an incredible community, and I know from my work how impacted they have been by rising costs!”
About me: Slightly chaotic but doing my best.
Fun fact: I once swam with crocodiles in Australia when I was 18! I wouldn’t do that again now I think about it!
Jane & Andrew
Name: Jane Fuller
Age: 40
Where do you live? Inverness (originally from the Isle of Lewis)
Occupation: Compliance & Business Development Manager
Family: Married to Niall Fuller (36), with Benji (1) and Lucy (5)
Why are you taking part? “I’ve always loved Strictly Come Dancing, and after attending the final of Strictly Inverness last year, I was blown away by the production and the incredible money raised for charity.
“I turned to my husband and said, “I’m doing this next year” and now, here I am!
“Supporting Highland Hospice through this experience feels deeply personal to me, as it’s in memory of my mum, who passed away suddenly from breast cancer in 2022.
“She was a huge Strictly fan and was so excited to attend her first live show in Glasgow, but sadly, she passed away a month before we got to attend. This experience is for her, and I know she’d be laughing at me saying, “What have you got yourself into?” but in her words, “It will be a hoot!””
About me: I’d like to think I am creative, driven, and family-focused but just don’t ask me to stay up past 9pm ha!
Fun fact: During my time in the Air Training Corps, I had the chance to fly in aircraft doing aerobatics, though I’m not sure I’d be up for the loop-the-loops now!
Name: Andrew Simpkins
Age: 41 (but still 21 at heart)
Occupation: Inverness Arts Practitioner for Theatre at Eden Court
Relationship status: I live with my partner Andrey Carvalho, 31
Why are you taking part? “I believe in the power of community, working together to ensure that everybody is represented, safe and empowered. This reflects in all aspects of my life and to be able to give something to my community is important to me. (I’ve also always dreamed of being a backing dancer for Kylie Minogue - this is my chance!!!)”
About me: This is tough… in reality, probably, an annoying human who sings waaaaaaay too many musical songs and dances around the house all the time!
Fun fact: I can say the alphabet backwards, really quickly!
Jorja & Niall
Age:19
Where do you live? Black Isle
Occupation: Car sales at Arnold Clark
Relationship status: Taken
Why are you taking part? “I am taking part in Strictly Inverness 2025 to set myself a challenge, and to accomplish something like this so young would mean a lot to me. Also raising money for such an amazing charity is something I’ll hold onto forever.”
About me: I am very hard-working and outgoing but always up for a laugh!
Fun fact: I am very much into rally driving and fast/loud cars!
Name: Niall Ross
Age: 29
Where do you live? Inverness
Occupation: Communications Assistant at Highland Hospice
Relationship status: Single
Why are you taking part? “Having worked at the Highland Hospice for three years now, Strictly was always at the bottom of the pile of events that I would do despite pretty much being asked at my interview.
“I decided to bite the bullet this year as I wanted to do something significant before turning 30 in the summer and Strictly was the obvious choice. Make no mistake, this is not something that I am doing lightly, it’s not even close to being in my comfort zone, I hate being in the spotlight and I very much look forward to going back to the quiet life when it’s over.
“But at the end of the day, it’s all about raising money for two amazing charities. One of which I am privileged to work for and I’m able to see day in, day out the tremendous work that goes on at the Hospice.”
About me: I’m a dude, playing a dude, disguised as another dude!
Fun fact: I once recited an entire poem from memory in the medium of rap for my English class! Don’t ask me why but it happened!
Laura & John
Name: Laura Archibald
Age: 24
Where do you live? Holm, Inverness
Occupation: Paralegal at Harper Macleod LLP
Relationship status: Single
Why are you taking part? “I wanted to apply for Strictly since I moved to Inverness two years ago from my hometown of Keith. Sadly, I have had family members who have had cancer, so this is an opportunity to give back.
“Over the past year, in particular, I have totally pushed myself out of my comfort zone, and wanted this to continue. I would say that this might well be the toughest thing I’ll ever do - dancing in front of around 600 people is seriously scary! And, of course to meet new people, and make lifelong friends.”
About me: Fun outgoing girl, loves a yap and a Maccies when hungover, works hard but parties harder!
Fun fact: I travelled solo for the first time last year and loved it!
Name: John Simpson
Age: 33
Where do you live? Forres
Occupation: Moray Energy Advisor and Administration Team Lead
Relationship status: Married to Catherine Gemmell (35)
Why are you taking part? “I was encouraged to take part by a previous contestant. I wanted to try something new and push myself so I thought why not? I enjoy a challenge. It’s also raising money for a brilliant cause!”
About me: I am passionate about helping people and will always try to do my best for everyone.
Fun fact: I briefly appeared in a Sky News documentary in 2017 which has been viewed almost half a million times on YouTube. I was also in a Channel 4 news report back in 2014 which can also still be found online!
Leah & Martin
Name: Leah Campbell
Age: 22
Where do you live? Cradlehall, Inverness
Occupation: Trainee Family Law Paralegal
Relationship status: In a relationship for almost five years with Gary Murray (24)
Why are you taking part? “I went to see Strictly in 2024 to support Amy and Lana and I just spent the whole time at the event in awe. I knew at that moment I wanted to take part. I was looking for a personal challenge and one to help me get fit… I’m just a girl trying to get back into her pre-lockdown jeans!
“I love being involved in charity and fundraising events but this was my first experience with actually organising them single-handedly. I am a very organised person and thought this quality would make me a relatively good candidate for Strictly, but as I have now learned it takes a lot more than being organised to put on a good fundraiser!
“I am really grateful to be on this journey. I found myself really motivated and feeling positive. I hope that I continue to stay fit and fundraise long after Strictly 2025 finishes.”
About me: I have a bubbly and fun-loving personality with an upbeat attitude but I am a bit of a control freak! I love all things girly, glitz and glam and more importantly a pink prosecco!
Fun fact: I come from a very doggie family, including our two miniature sausage dogs Winnie and Ozzie. People often comment that the way I baby and mollycoddle them, I may as well have given birth to them!
Name: Martin Dey
Age: 22
Where do you live? Inverness
Occupation: Cleaner at Raigmore Hospital
Relationship status: Single
Why are you taking part? “My brother and his girlfriend have been at me for years to do this, so this year he decided to bite the bullet for me and sign me up…without me knowing!”
Fun fact: I have been told I’m rather good at accents.
Kellyann & Billy
Name: Kellyann McFarlane
Age: 45
Where do you live? Ness Castle
Occupation: Community Relationship Officer
Relationship status and family: Married to Kristian McFarlane (49) with Chantelle (24), Kaitlyn (22), Justin (22), step-daughter Charley (19) and step-son Lewis (15)
Why are you taking part? “I want to raise funds for the Highland Hospice as they support and care for so many families in their time of need. And I love dancing.”
About me: I am friendly, loyal, reliable and a terrible overthinker!
Fun fact: I did drama classes in High School and I auditioned for Taggart but didn’t get the part!
Name: Billy Young
Age: 40
Where do you live? Inverness
Occupation: Store manager for Pandora
Relationship status: Single
Why are you taking part? In July 2024 I lost the most amazing woman in my life. My mum. After battling 10 different types of cancer for 12 years my mum lost her final battle.
“She spent some time in the Highland Hospice and we as a family found the whole experience amazingly supportive at the worst time of our lives. I would love to honour my mum by contributing to such an amazing charity.”
About me: Funny, well I find myself funny!
Fun fact: I can do the splits “when drunk”
Annis & Duncan
Name: Annis Nordvik
Age: 41
Where do you live? Westhill
Occupation: Inverness Court Officer
Relationship status: Married to Øyvind (Vinnie) Nordvik (41) with children Nico (12) and Marcus (8)
Why are you taking part? “I love fundraising. I have previously done UWCB (white collar boxing) for Cancer Research and together with a couple of parents on my street with our kids we have raised funds for MFR’s Cash for Kids/Mission Christmas.
“There's just something addictive about fundraising and what better causes to do it for than Highland Hospice and Inverness Ice Centre? It's an extra bonus that I'll get fit at the same time.”
About me: Honest, loyal and fun to be around. I enjoy Country music, travelling and entertaining. I love spending time with my family & friends and try to squeeze as much into my time off as possible.
Fun fact: I'm actually half blind in my right eye.
Name: Duncan Macgregor
Age: 39
Where do you live? Ness Castle, Inverness
Occupation: Cybersecurity Compliance Manager
Relationship status and family: Married to Rachael Macgregor (37) with children Kaelyn (15), Iris (11) and Liam (10)
Why are you taking part? “I am taking part in honour of my aunt who was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour at the start of last year.”
About me: Laid-back and social, I love meeting new people and hearing their stories just as much as escaping solo to climb Munros.
Fun fact: I am from the US but even though I have lived here since 2008, my wife still doesn’t like it when I do a local accent.
