Proud Moment for Silverstone Leasing as Sophie Norville Secures 2nd Place at Strictly Northampton.
Silverstone Leasing is immensely proud to celebrate the outstanding achievement of Sophie Norville, who delivered a truly memorable performance at Strictly Northampton 2025, securing an impressive 2nd place in one of the county’s most anticipated charity events.
Strictly Northampton, now in its 14th year, brings together local individuals who train intensively over several weeks before performing live at a spectacular theatre show. The event raises vital funds for Cynthia Spencer Hospice and Step by Step Dance School, with this year’s competition contributing an incredible £48,000 to local causes. Sophie alone helped raise more than £1,700 through her own fundraising efforts.
Dancing alongside her professional partner, Marc Layton Leggett, Sophie set herself a simple goal at the start: to make it into the top eight couples for the chance to perform a solo routine in the final round. Not only did she achieve that, but she exceeded all expectations by dancing her way into the final four and ultimately securing the runner-up position. Sophie described the moment as “incredible” and admitted she still “can’t quite believe it.”
The evening saw each couple perform a number of ballroom and Latin dances, including the waltz, jive, tango and cha-cha-cha. Judges praised Sophie for her confidence, musicality and connection with her partner — particularly impressive given that she had never taken part in a dance competition before this year.
Her husband, Managing Director of Silverstone Leasing Scott Norville, expressed how proud he was of her journey. He explained that Sophie had watched Strictly Northampton from the audience just a year earlier and had decided she wanted to give it a go — a decision that has now led to an extraordinary achievement. Scott also highlighted her dedication, noting her commitment to fitness challenges this year, including gym events and a half-marathon, proving she is never afraid to step outside her comfort zone.
Sophie’s success doesn’t end with the show. Inspired by the entire experience, she and Marc plan to continue classes at Step by Step Dance School, working toward their bronze, silver and gold dance medals over the coming year.
Her achievement is a testament to what can be accomplished with determination, courage and a willingness to try something new. Everyone at Silverstone Leasing sends Sophie their warmest congratulations. Her journey has inspired colleagues, friends and the wider Northampton community — and we can’t wait to see where her dancing story goes next.
Strictly Northampton FAQs
Strictly Northampton is a local charity dance competition, and while there is strong coverage of the event and its fundraising achievements, the 2025 winner has not been clearly published in publicly available sources. What is confirmed is that Sophie Norville finished in an outstanding second place, as noted by regional news outlets. However, none of the press reports or event updates list the name of the overall winner for 2025. This is likely because Strictly Northampton is a community-led fundraising event rather than a nationally televised programme, meaning detailed results are not always released online. Based on current public information, the winner’s identity has not been verified.
Entering Strictly Northampton is a straightforward but exciting process, designed for anyone who wants to challenge themselves, learn to dance and raise money for charity. The event is run by Step by Step Dance School in partnership with local charities such as Cynthia Spencer Hospice. Each year, the organisers open applications to members of the public, whether you are a complete beginner or have some dance experience.
To enter, participants usually need to complete an online registration form or contact Step by Step Dance School directly through their website or social media channels. Once accepted, dancers commit to several weeks of training leading up to the big performance night at the Royal & Derngate Theatre. Training typically begins around September or October, with rehearsals taking place weekly. No previous dance experience is required, as professional instructors teach all choreography and guide participants through ballroom and Latin routines.
Fundraising is an essential part of the entry process. Each dancer is expected to raise money for the chosen charities, often through sponsorship pages, events or workplace support. On the night, dancers perform in front of a live audience and judges, competing for a place in the final rounds and ultimately the top prize.
Spaces are limited and often fill quickly, so anyone interested in taking part is encouraged to register early once applications open for the next year’s event.
Strictly Northampton primarily supports Cynthia Spencer Hospice, one of Northamptonshire’s most important local charities. The event also works closely with Step by Step Dance School, who co-organise the show and benefit indirectly through community engagement and participation.
Cynthia Spencer Hospice
This is the main charity partner. Strictly Northampton raises thousands of pounds each year to support the hospice’s specialist palliative care services, provided both at the hospice and within the community. The funds help with nursing care, family support, end-of-life services and bereavement support.
While Cynthia Spencer is the headline charity, individual dancers can sometimes raise money for other local causes too, depending on the year. However, the official fundraising effort and the grand total announced at the show are always tied to Cynthia Spencer Hospice.
