A BARRHEAD dancer was in line to scoop a top TV award after wowing the nation with his fancy footwork in 2005.

Auchenback man James McLauchlan and his Paisley-based partner Claire Adam had been tipped to win the talent show Strictly Dance Fever.

Millions watched the pair go through their exhausting, high-speed routine on BBC One – with their version of 70s disco favourite The Hustle wowing the live audience too.

James, 27, and 18-year-old Claire had already won top prize at the United Country Western Dance Council World Championships, held in Nashville, Tenessee.

At the time, James said: “This has been a great experience for myself and Claire and I can honestly say we are both having the time of our lives.

“It is obviously quite hard to change to a completely different style of dancing, complete with different music and totally new beats for us, but that is what makes this show so good for audiences and so much fun for those taking part.

“Claire and I would dearly love to win but it is a genuine case that taking part is equally important.

“The other competitors have been great with us so far and so has the host, Graham Norton. He really is a funny guy.”

James added: “The phone lines will hopefully be jammed with people from Barrhead, Paisley and elsewhere in Scotland voting for Claire and myself.

“We hope to go all the way and win this for everyone back home who has given us so much support.”

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