MP Simon ready to rock'n'roll | Bay of Plenty News | Local News in Bay of Plenty

As a Crown prosecutor turned Member of Parliament, Simon Bridges is no stranger to a challenge and Tauranga's version of the hit television show Dancing with the Stars has certainly served him up another.

The 32-year-old and his wife, Natalie, editor of Simply You magazine, are among the eight stars at the third annual Dancing with the Stars competition run by Tauranga Rock'n' Roll Club.

The event, which has sold out the past two years, will be held at Tauranga RSA and includes a varied group of Tauranga "stars", partnered with true rock'n' rollers and members of the club.

On June 26 the couples will compete to be crowned best female or male dancer as well as the chance to be voted crowd favourites.

Two weeks out from his dancing debut, Mr Bridges said he was nervous but feeling more confident with each practice he and partner Carolyn Jacob managed to fit into his often hectic schedule.

He said that learning to dance rock'n' roll had been character-building, and something he probably wouldn't have done had the rock'n' roll club not approached him about two months ago.

"It's not something I would have woken up and thought to do," he said.

The experience had been good fun and Mrs Jacob was a "very good teacher" who was "very patient" with him, Mr Bridges said. "I think I started out really, really bad and I wouldn't say I'm good but I'm certainly getting better."

Mrs Jacob, who was one of last year's winners, said she had to have confidence in Mr Bridges to carry out some of the lift moves required in their rock'n' roll routine.

"We're coming along fine, I think he's got the confidence up in throwing me around," she said.

Mrs Jacob's husband, Ray, will partner Mrs Bridges in the competition although Mr Bridges said he and his wife struggled to practise together without their experienced dance partners leading the way.

"She thinks I'm sort of a wet fish," he said.

Tauranga Rock'n' Roll Club president Helen Lennard said the audience could expect "a great night's entertainment" from Tauranga's Dancing with the Stars competition. She explained that the event was a fundraiser to send competitors and supporters to the rock'n' roll national championships.

"On a bigger scale it's really good for the club because it seems to bring out the best in our members," she said.

Mrs Lennard said the club would like to continue the competition indefinitely.

"As long as it keeps getting the support and we keep getting the competitors, then we'll do it," she said. "Last year we had to turn people away."