Dancing duo are strictly the winners! (From Thisisdorset)

Dancing duo are strictly the winners!

10:48am Tuesday 2nd January 2007 in

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A BOURNEMOUTH couple has been crowned world amateur champions for their moves on the dance floor.

Warren and Kristie Boyce received the top honour at the IDU World Amateur Ballroom Championships in Reggio di Calabria, Italy.

And as they walked into the banquet dinner, all who were present, including top ranked judges, stood to congratulate them on their achievement and to formally welcome the new world champions with a toast.

Warren and Kristie, both aged 26, had stepped out onto the floor with some initial concerns.

Warren explained: "This top Italian couple were having an interview in the middle of the floor with the TV cameras.

"We were thinking this might not bode well'.

"But in the opening, the chairman of judges said the best dancer will win and no one knows who that is yet.

"Everyone will be judged by how they dance on the night."

Warren and Kristie won all five dances, and the audience shouted for them to win.

He said they were delighted to see the judges were all professional dancers, including Gaynor Fairweather MBE.

Warren said he and Kristie had left the hotel in the morning of the competition without breakfast, but they had eaten well in the week before and had sports drinks and water to keep their energy up.

The competition was screened at the same time as a telethon, so viewers got a mix of fundraising and dance action.

Warren said they shared the news of their win with his mum, Lynette Boyce, who runs Nice 'N' Easy dance studios in Boscombe.

Warren said he and Kristie are now considering going professional and hope to compete in the next competition, in July in the Ukraine, to see if they can win the title for a second time.

The couple won the British National Ballroom Championship for a record fifth time in November at Blackpool and the UK Closed Championship for a fifth consecutive time in Bournemouth in July.