THE latest series of Strictly Come Dancing is now in full swing with celebrities nervously learning new footwork and twirls to show off on the dancefloor each week.

All the participants were anxious before their performance, with some visibly shaking with nerves before taking their turn on the dancefloor.

Our Echo reporters Charlotte Austen-Hardy, 26, and Emma Robinson, 26, know how they feel after taking part in their first Latin and Ballroom competition together.

The brave pair have spent the last few weeks fine-tuning four new routines in four different styles of dance at the Diamante Dance Academy in Beehive Lane, Chelmsford.

They joined a beginners class, taught by owner Natasha Fellowes, in January after being inspired by the dancing show last year.

They took their first proper, marked spin on the dancefloor at the Essex Festival, which was held at the Deanes School in Thundersley.

Charlotte said: “Although I only took up dancing recently, I’ve always been in awe of dancers who can float around the dance floor, spin gracefully through a waltz and make an energetic jive look effortless.

“So the last few weeks have been spent working on a jive, a waltz, a cha cha and a rumba with my dance partner and friend Emma.

“It’s been incredibly hard work - sadly, despite my longing for grace on the dancefloor, I have not been blessed with either a good memory for dance steps or sense of rhythm.

“Learning four new routines in the space of just a few weeks has been a challenge but as the weeks ticked by we managed to pick them up and felt ready by the time the event arrived.

“Despite making more than a few mistakes during our dances - including completely forgetting our rumba routine - we kept dancing throughout each routine and even came home with a small trophy each.

“But for us it really wasn’t about winning anything - it was about having fun and enjoying ourselves - and laughing all the way through.”

Emma added: “I first took up ballroom and Latin American dancing at university but five years have passed since I strapped on my shoes.

“It has taken a lot of practising and patience to get competition ready but we made it, an achievement in itself.

“When I arrived in the hall, I was in awe of all the teenage dancers with their sharp turns and perfect timing.

“Charlotte and I weren’t quite up to their standard when we took to the floor and, even though my mind went blank a couple of times, we kept dancing.

“It was a wonderful day.”