Bee Gees Stayin’ Alive would be appropriate theme tune, says Strictly Inverness contestant with terminal cancer
Strictly Inverness contestant Kalli Spencer is making the most of life with her husband, Liam, daughter, Niah (6) and their son Coben (9).
As the mother of two young children, Kalli Spencer has faced up to the reality she may not live to see them become teenagers.
The 30-year-old who hails from Boat of Garten has stage four breast cancer having first discovered a lump three years ago.
But she is determined to make the most of her life, facing her personal challenges with optimism and humour.
“I deal with it the best way I can which is with dark humour and positivity,” says Kalli who is one of the contestants in next month’s annual Strictly Inverness dance competition which raises money for Highland Hospice and the Inverness Ice Centre.
Her determination shines through when asked what her theme tune would be.
“I guess with terminal cancer, Bee Gees Stayin’ Alive is fairly appropriate now!” replies Kalli who now lives in Forres.
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Strictly 2026 Team Thursday contestant Kalli Spencer with dance partner Pat Connelly. Picture: Callum Mackay.
Kalli and her husband, Liam, who is in the Army based at Kinloss, have a son Coben (9) and a daughter, Niah (6).
She recalls first discovering a lump in her breast and then being told a year later that it was terminal.
“I always checked for lumps regularly as my auntie had breast cancer,” she says.
“I was only 27 at the time and went to the GP.
“I thought it was unlikely but given the family history, I was referred to the breast clinic but not as an urgent case.”
However, the lump grew and she was subsequently diagnosed with stage three cancer.
Strictly Inverness contestant Kalli Spencer, who has terminal cancer, and husband, Liam, with daughter Niah and son Coben.
As well as undergoing a mastectomy of her right breast, she also had a record 41 lymph nodes recovered.
It took Kallie a long time to heal from the surgery resulting in a delay for chemotherapy.
“By the time I got chemotherapy, it had spread and I was diagnosed with stage four cancer,” she says.
“My initial reaction was a lot of disbelief. It felt very doom and gloom and darkness.
“Initially, it felt it was going to consume everything.
“When I first got the diagnosis I thought that it is it and everything is over and there is nothing for the future.”
There was also the added challenge of her husband being away a lot of the time at Army barracks in the south of England where he was also studying for a degree.
But she drew on her sense of humour and purpose to face the situation and her treatment means she is now stable.
“Stable means there is no current progression of the tumour I have,” she explains.
“It is an incurable cancer I have. There is a five year survival rate of 20 per cent.
“I fully believe in science and the medical community and the genius of medicine.
“The reason I am still alive is because of modern medicine – the drug I am on is a relatively new one and it seems to be working quite well for me.”
Kalli and her family enjoy fun experiences together.
Kalli also underwent radiotherapy after the cancer spread into her spine and leg which meant walking was a struggle.
Although the cancer is stable, Kalli is pragmatic.
“Obviously I might not see my children as teenagers,” she says.
“That is the timeline I am looking at. I can only live with what I can do.
“We have been very open and honest with the kids. It is the only way to deal with it.”
She is determined to make the most of her time and in the last couple of years has done some “really cool things” including a holiday in Gran Canaria with 17 family members, a family holiday in Amsterdam, horse riding on the beach, a visit to a Formula One race and a supercar driving experience.
“I’ve had a good time making the most of it,” she says.
“Any days you get are an absolute bonus.”
Following her diagnosis, she also took up the services offered by Highland Hospice such as a massage and chatting to staff.
“There are a lot of services there to help and it can make a difference to how face it all,” she says.
“I thought doing fundraising for Highland Hospice was something I could do to give something back to them.”
Strictly Inverness contestant Kalli Spencer is preparing for her big performance next month.
As a Strictly Inverness contestant, she has been partnered with Highland Council customer service worker Pat Connelly (51), of Tain.
The oncologist and physiotherapist advised she would be fine to take part as long as she was sensible and avoided fast movements.
“We’re doing the cha-cha which has quick jerky movements!” she jokes.
In between practising her dance moves, she is also busy fundraising and is inviting people to take part in a sponsored dog walk from Boat of Garten to Nethy Bridge on April 26 starting at 11am.
There will also be a strawberry tea afterwards from 1.30pm at Nethy Village Hall.
Email [email protected] for sponsorship forms, or more details. Kalli has also set up a JustGiving page for people to give donations.
Strictly Inverness takes place at the Inverness Ice Centre from May 13 to 16.
This will be the 15th anniversary year for the competition which will welcome back Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton Du Beke as guest judge for the final.
Since it launched in 2010, this competition has raised almost £3 million for Highland Hospice and Inverness Ice Centre.
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