Aimee tackles the samba with James Greening

I KNEW it was going to happen sooner or later. And this week was the week for a near-tear experience.

It seems silly now. It was Sunday night and I was frustrated I was unable to do a lock-step. I was still unable to do it without skipping and became really angry with myself. It is not as if my partner was shouting at me, but I was disappointed with myself. Luckily, I managed to hold the tears back and not embarrass myself. This time. I am sure I will find myself at this stage again and the floodgates will open.

I must admit, training for the Martel Maides Dancefloor Challenge has been a fairly emotional as well as physical experience. On Tuesday, I did not get home until 11pm. I was exhausted. I do not know how James and his partner, Kirsty Chick, find time to teach me as well as carry on their own dancing and hold down full-time jobs.

Luckily, it hasn’t been wasted energy and I do feel my dancing has really improved since I took my first tentative steps nearly four weeks ago.

We have pretty much got our tango and samba together. The only problem I am having is a step in the tango where I have to spin around on one leg. I have come close to getting it many a time, but panic and lose my balance. James said we could miss the step for something else, but I am determined to perfect it because it is a really nice part of the dance.

This week has also been about positioning and posture. I now know where my feet need to be and where to point them and how to keep my knees bent, arms strong and head to the left. It does feel pretty weird, but it makes the dance look a lot stronger and more like a tango.

The UK dancers have been back over this week and although I was not able to attend, James and Kirsty went along to pick up the rest of the dance.

I felt a bit guilty I was unable to go. But I did dance on my birthday, which I think is dedication.

Next week, my aim is to get my spin sorted. I know I can do it. I just need to relax and not think too much about it. Fingers crossed.