A BEAUTY queen has vowed to keep on dancing for charity despite being diagnosed with cancer.
Melissa McNaughton is refusing to pull out after signing up for in the Strictly-style fundraiser.
Six weeks after putting her name forward, hair stylist Melissa, 29, from Glasgow, was diagnosed with leukaemia.
Despite enduring chemo and blood transfusions, she has vowed to make the dance-off.
Melissa, said: “I was exhausted all the time and thought I must be anaemic,” said Melissa.
“I went to my GP, thinking I would just need a blood test and some iron tablets.
“But I was phoned later that day asked to get to hospital immediately and take someone with me.
“I was terrified about what they had found.
“More blood tests were taken and it was then doctors told me I had chronic leukaemia.”
It comes 10 years after she beat meningitis.
Melissa, who has a clutch of pageant titles to her name, has been told that the meningitis may have affected her immune system and triggered the leukaemia.
The former Mrs Inspiration Scotland and current Mrs Glasgow said: “It will mean long dancing lessons fitted in through regular blood transfusions and chemo drugs.
“I won’t let cancer will not get in the way.
“But one of the hardest things will be getting my husband into a ballroom tail suit. I don’t think he’s too keen.”
The event, Strictly Come Prancing, will raise funds for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Scotland.
Melissa and Michael will compete against 12 other couples at a Glasgow’s Double Tree by Hilton on November 10 when they will judged by TV fashion expert Gok Wan.
Michael, 31, will be by Melissa’s side every step of the way. The couple have been together for 12 years and married in May 2015.
Leading oncologist, Professor Karol Sikora, said: “This is a great act of courage so soon after a diagnosis of leukaemia.
Dr Margo Whiteford, head of SBHS, said: “It’s amazing what Melissa is doing despite undergoing treatment for leukaemia.”
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