Scots villagers hope local hero Hamza Yassin can bring glitterball back to Highlands home in Strictly final

17.12.2022 - 08:45 / dailyrecord.co.uk

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.

Amanda Gane, the woman Hamza describes as his Scottish mother, said: “I don’t care if he wins, although I think he will. I just wanted him to get to the final. He always had that potential, he’s strong, he’s flexible and people love him. I’m a very proud Scottish mum.”

Kilchoan Primary has 12 pupils and two in the nursery. The children have made a “good luck” banner for Hamza and have been watching his progress through the competition.

One of the dads, Rod Wyness, said the kids don’t distinguish between TV Hamza and the one they bump into dolphin-watching at the jetty or buying milk in the village shop.

He said: “They are detached from reality, they see him on TV and they see him in real life. He’s always absolutely fantastic with them. Sometimes you worry that your