HEADINGTON headteacher Lynn Knapp was the belle of the ball as she danced her way to victory at this year’s Strictly Oxford.

The Windmill Primary School principal beat 15 contestants in Sunday’s competition at the New Theatre in George Street.

The 54-year-old from Chalgrove said: “I got involved with the Strictly Junior contest earlier this year.

“I had to learn the dances to teach the children, and I said that I’d love to be in the adult one.”

In just six weeks, Mrs Knapp had to learn to dance the cha-cha-cha, tango and rumba to impress the judges and audience.

She said: “It was just amazing. I love dancing.

“It was scary to begin with, nerves were running quite high, but when you’re on there and you realise you can’t see the audience because of the lights it’s okay.”

Oxford Mail:

  • Windmill Primary School headteacher Lynn Knapp and her partner Andrius Backys dance their way to the Strictly Oxford title at Oxford’s New Theatre

The judging panel gave her performance full marks, but she won the contest thanks to having the most votes from the audience.

She said: “Because of the school I have a big pocket of people, which helped.

“To win was a big surprise and just the icing on the cake.”

Strictly Oxford raises money for Vale House, a nursing home in Sandford-on-Thames which provides specialist end-of-life care for people with dementia.

As well as ticket sales, the dancers had to raise sponsorship, with Mrs Knapp bringing in almost £800.

To donate visit justgiving.com/ Lynn-Knapp