singer Edward Reid braved the caustic tongue of Simon Cowell on TV show Britain's Got Talent and became a YouTube sensation, watched by millions of people in the process.

But he is only now finding himself out of his comfort zone ... after signing up to a charity dance competition.

The 37-year-old, who lives in Dennistoun, Glasgow, is one of seven contestants from the worlds of business and entertainment putting on their dancing shoes in aid of the Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice.

Appearing in front of hundreds of guests at the Hilton this month is not a million miles from facing the judges on the hit ITV talent quest.

Edward said: "The thing with Britain's Got Talent and this is they are both unknowns. I do not know what kind of reaction I will get.

"I am hoping the style of dance we are doing will be pleasing to the audience. I am just worried the judges will think it is not technical enough or good enough. That's my fear."

Edward made the semi-final of Britain's Got Talent in 2011, having impressed judges Amanda Holden, Michael McIntyre and David Hasselhoff by singing nursery rhyme lyrics to Snow Patrol's Run.

But the community education worker at Coatbridge College, who got the idea for his act after working with people with learning disabilities, lost out in a place in the final to eventual winner Jai McDowall, a support worker from Tarbolton, Ayrshire.

Now that Edward's performance has been viewed more than five million times on YouTube, he has been invited to be a guest at a string of glamorous events around the city.

It was at last year's (A Little Less) Strictly Come Dancing fundraiser at the Hilton that he was bitten by the bug.

"I was blown away," said Edward, who staged a show, The Diva Unleashed, at the Edinburgh Festival.

"Out of all the events I have been to since I was on Britain's Got Talent – and I have been lucky to go to quite a lot – there was something quite magical about last year.

"Someone at my table said, 'You should do this,' and I said, 'I wish'. Before I knew it, I was signed up for it."

Edward and his dance partner Tracy Donald are putting the final touches to their salsa to Singin' In The Rain.

"I have put a wee bit of a surprise element in," added Edward, who performed to patients in the hospice's day unit at Christmas.

TV presenter and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Carol Smillie will again be joined by Angus Purden, of STV's Postcode Challenge, to host the fourth annual hospice fundraiser.

Katya Virshilas and Pasha Kovalev, professionals from the hit BBC dance show, will give a dance display on the night, which also features live music from the 18-piece Syd Lawrence Orchestra.

The seven couples will be judged by a panel made up of radio presenter Kaye Adams, interior designer John Amabile, professional judge John Comrie and Strictly's Pasha.

n Tickets for the event on Saturday, March 16 cost from £80 per person. Call 0141 429 5599 or send an email to: ashley.kilgour@ppwh.org.uk

MARTIN MERRICK has jumped into Strictly training with both feet. The managing director of Volvo Truck and Bus Centre encouraged workers at the dealership at Cardonald, Glasgow, to dance with him to Grease Lighting – and the video is proving a hit online and with clients.

Martin, 48, of Bishopbriggs, is doing a Charleston and cha-cha-cha to two tracks from Reservoir Dogs with Kay Hamilton.

ALISON WALKER is playing catch-up on her fellow contestants after her first three partners had to drop out of the competition.

The sports journalist, from Bearsden, is aiming to raise £5000 for the hospice through dancing the salsa to Johnny's Mambo from Dirty Dancing with Graeme Fox.

DAVID ROBERTSON has good reason to nail his routine – the steps could come in handy when he marries fiancee Nicola Malcolm in August.

The 26-year-old warehouse co-ordinator, of Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire, is representing event sponsors The Malcolm Group, the Linwood haulage and construction company founded by Nicola's late grandfather, Donald.

David is dancing the jive to Jailhouse Rock with Maria Oakes.

MIKE SHARPLES is the project director of the new Southern General Hospital.

The 56-year-old director of Brookfield Multiplex, who commutes between homes in Langbank, Renfrewshire, and Cardiff, was enlisted to join the Strictly ranks after attending a fundraising lunch last June.

He is dancing the cha-cha-cha to Sway by Rosemary Clooney with Val McDonald.

EDWARD REID was never a fan of Strictly Come Dancing – but he has been hooked since attending the hospice's Strictly-themed fundraiser last year. He is dancing a salsa to Singin' In the Rain with Tracy Donald.

WENDY LAING is the sixth generation of her family to work for Laings of Glasgow jewellers.

Her father Stuart is chairman of the Evening Times-backed Brick By Brick appeal to raise £15million to build a new hospice on a site by Bellahouston Park.

Wendy, 36, from Troon, is dancing the American smooth with Kevin Nicol.

MORAG CUNNINGHAM (not in picture) is the director of fundraising and communications at the Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice.

The 46-year-old, from Chapelhall, near Airdrie, will be dancing a fusion of quickstep and samba to a track from the movie Burlesque with Bobby Cranston.

TO vote for any of the contestants, text 'DANCE', followed by the contestant's first name, to 70100. Texts cost £1 plus your standard network rate.