CAN a weekend get any better?
Not only did Kevin and his celebrity dance partner Susanna Reid top the Strictly leader board with a sensational paso doble, but our family and dance academy were hurled into the TV limelight, bringing memorable once-in-a-lifetime moments for everyone concerned.
A simple mid-morning phone call from the BBC started the madness.
"We'd like you to bring 20 social dance couples to Blackpool to dance in the opening number. We need an answer by two o'clock. Oh and you will be dancing, too."
A frantic couple of hours ensued, mainly trying to convince people it wasn't a joke.
It's almost impossible to get tickets, never mind having a starring role.
And what a couple of days it was.
Not only did our dancers appear on national television but they met all the professional dancers and celebrities and danced in the world-famous Tower Ballroom.
Everyone was so helpful and friendly.
As Anton put it: "It's an absolute joy to have you here."
Judy and I took Kevin and Joanne to Blackpool every year to dance in the Juvenile (under 12 years) and Junior (under 16 years) British Open Championships, where they made finals in amongst young couples from all over the world.
Judy won the British Junior Quickstep Championship a few years ago and I have judged the championships before in that ballroom. So when the BBC told us that they had asked Joanne to appear in the show too the reunion was complete.
All of us dancing on the same floor together was singularly memorable. So what do we say about Kevin and Susanna's paso doble?
Talk about a Strictly moment.
Thirty-nine points and equal top of the rankings with a conventional, bullfighting paso. No gimmicks, just standard figures, flamenco influences and a bucket load of passion.
The last shot of Kevin, arms outstretched, standing above the thrown down cape (Susanna) receiving monumental applause was such an emotional picture.
I'm sure that picture will go viral.
And so to the coach home to Grimsby, tired, overloaded with pictures, autographs and memories.
However, with only two hours sleep, we were up and going to Scunthorpe Baths Hall to run one of our children's freestyle competitions, replicating the noise, excitement and intensity of the previous days.
Sleep? Not a chance! 7.30am on Monday morning it was a BBC radio researcher asking if I would talk to Chris Evans live.
Mixing showbiz with fish and chips is a heady concoction!
Cliftons Dance Academy is enrolling for the following classes: Adult beginners ballroom and Latin couples; Adult ballroom and Latin singles; Children's ballroom and Latin.
For more information, e-mail keith.clifton@ntlworld.com and visit www.cliftonsdanceacademy.co.uk
For live Strictly coverage over the weekend, visit this website, follow us on Twitter at @grimsbytel and find us on Facebook.
