Villagers in Hamza Yassin’s home, Kilchoan, are willing their friend and neighbour to win tonight’s Strictly Come Dancing final and bring some glitter to their remote highland outpost. Most of the 150 residents will be heading to the village hall to watch Hamza, 32, and Jowita Przystal, 28 dance against Helen Skelton, Fleur East and Molly Rainford and their partners.
There is even talk of dressing up in sequins and having a proper bar – unheard of in a village of fleeces, cagoules and BYOB. Others will travel from all over the Ardnamurchan peninsula, on twisting single-track roads, to cheer on Hamza. His next door neighbour, Gayle Richardson, is heading back from a business trip to watch.
There will be another community party across the water in Tobermory on Mull. Strictly’s breakthrough star was born in Sudan, grew up in England and moved to Scotland when he was 21. Now he considers himself a Scotsman and wants to lift the trophy for his adopted homeland.
