A DANCING great grandmother took to the stage for a national variety competition just hours after the death of her supportive husband.

Jean Sleap, 70, of Sir Walter Raleigh Drive, Rayleigh, joined Vanity Dance Group when her husband of 39 years, Brian Sleap, was receiving respite care for emphysema.

At a Christmas dance event, their teacher, Beverley Weir, suggested they all enter the dance competition Britain Does Variety.

Mrs Sleap said: “Of course the girls felt we didn't stand much of a chance and were very apprehensive, but Brian really felt that we should go for it so we all raised our glasses to him and decided to apply.

“It was just amazing that Brian was always there for me, he really encouraged me to start dancing. It became an outlet for me because he was very poorly at home.”

Before auditioning for the competition, the girls put on a charity dance night to raise money for Havens Hospices, in Thundersley.

But just hours before the group were due to step on stage for Britain Does Variety, Mr Sleap passed away from the lung disease.

The group decided to continue with their audition in his memory.

Mrs Sleap, who has 18 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, said: “It was very difficult but I knew how much it meant to Brian so we went ahead anyway. I feel like he has actually encouraged the whole troop.

“For every show we do, we buy a ticket for Brian so that he can see the show too. His wish was to be at the show.”

The show went on to raise more than £7,000 for Havens Hospices.

Mrs Sleap and her husband regularly raised money for the charity, including when they renewed their vows, and starting a collection at Mr Sleap’s funeral.

She said: “The girls had just embraced me from when I joined. They even made a collection when Brian passed away, just for me. They bought me flowers and a necklace of a blue butterfly. I broke down, I couldn’t believe people could be so kind and lovely, it made me so happy.”

Before passing away, Mr Sleap had said that he would come back as a blue butterfly and the theme stuck with the dance group throughout their performances.

“After Brian died he had left a letter for me and told me to think of him every time I saw a blue butterfly. He also pleaded that I carry on dancing and I just haven’t stopped since,” added Mrs Sleap.

The dance group went on to fly through the auditions for Britain Does Variety and have this month secured a spot in the regional finals in St Albans on Saturday, June 11.

Talking about the finals, Mrs Sleap said: “We are absolutely over the moon and we all feel Brian has been with us all the way with his blessing. We have a unique act, we are all dressed up as flapper girls and then are joined on stage by ballerinas.”

If you are interested in joining the ladies, email Beverley Weir on bev.weir.dance@gmail.com