AN OXFORDSHIRE film director has swapped the red carpet for the dancefloor.

In May, Guy Browning, who lives in Kingston Bagpuize, premiered his film Tortoise in Love in London’s West End.

Now he has thrown his hat into the ring to become the 16th contestant on the first Strictly Oxford competition.

The contest is raising money for Vale House hospice, which was set up in Botley in 1990 to provide care for people profoundly affected by dementia.

Last year it launched at £2.5m fundraising drive to secure its future.

Mr Browning said: “I am really looking forward to it.

“I like to dance, but that doesn’t mean I am much of a dancer. It will be nice to learn how to do it properly.”

He will join a cast that includes Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Sara Thornton, Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood and restaurateur Clinton Pugh.

Mr Browning added: “Being several weeks behind the others I will have to put in a lot more work, but I don’t mind. Dancing is a lovely skill to have.”

On Saturday, July 15, Mr Browning and other Oxford contestants will step out on to the dance floor at the Town Hall.

A couple of weeks ago one of the contestants, Callum Lovett from the group Out of the Blue, had to pull out, meaning there were only 15 dancers.

It left Jen Yaxley, one of the professional dancers who mentors the stars, without a partner.

She said: “We are very pleased he has decided to take part. I am trying to choreograph a dance for him at the moment.

“I really hope we have got enough time and hopefully we can get into the studio to practise as much as possible.”

Tickets for the event, which is being hosted by Christopher Biggins, have already sold out.

Tortoise in Love was made on a budget of just £180,000 and was almost all the actors were residents of Kingston Bagpuize.