Southend star Terry Alderton's turn as Tina is instant hit (From Echo)

Southend star Terry Alderton is an instant hit in BBC's Let's Dance for Sport Relief

7:00am Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in Southend By Chloe Chapman

COMEDIAN Terry Alderton shocked viewers and himself as he strutted his stuff as Tina Turner to make it through to the final of a celebrity dance contest.

Terry, 41, donned a red dress, heels, wig and fake tan to take part in Let’s Dance for Sport Relief as Tina Turner.

His hilarious rendition of the classic hit Proud Mary impressed the public and guest judges Graham Norton, Keith Lemon and Greg Davies, who put Terry through to the final in four weeks’ time.

The TV show sees a variety of celebrities reinterpret classic dance routines to raise funds for Sport Relief.

But Terry, who grew up in Southend, was not the biggest fan of appearing on the show to begin with.

He said: “It was good fun. I’m just pleased I had the opportunity, because I don’t do talent shows normally. It’s for a good cause but the only downside is you get called celebrities – I hate that word.”

When the show’s producers first suggested Terry became Tina Turner for the evening he was reluctant.

He added: “I just thought, ‘I’m not dressing in drag as it’s not funny – it’s been done before’.

“One of my best friends is comedian Tim Vine and he always sings Proud Mary at karaoke. It always makes me laugh, and it’s quite a humorous song.”

Terry was born in Rochford Hospital, and spent much of his childhood in Southend.

He is also a life-long Southend United fan, and religiously follows his club’s progress.

He had a stint as their goalkeeper when he was a youngster, and in 2004 he was famously signed by the club again as a stand-in to solve a goalkeeping shortage after impressing during a celebrity football match against former professionals.

It was a good night all round for him on Saturday as his triumph in the dance contest was also matched by a win for the Blues.

He added: “Saturday was also a good day because we beat Crewe, so we’re still top.”

Other famous faces starring on the dance show were Ulrika Johnson, veteran radio DJs Tony Blackburn and David Hamilton, as well as fellow finalists Tameka Empson and Laurie Brett, who play Kim Fox and Jane Beale in Eastenders.

Terry could now go one better than fellow Southend comedian Russell Kane, who finished as a runner-up in last year’s show performing Beyonce’s Crazy in Love.

Let’s Dance for Sport Relief is on BBC One at 7pm every Saturday for the next four weeks.