HOPES are high for a Sussex win on Strictly Come Dancing after an actor wowed judges with his first performance.

Former Hollyoaks star Danny Mac, who grew up in Bognor, came joint second on the leaderboard on Saturday night with a slick and energetic Cha Cha.

Know for playing Mark ‘Dodger’ Savage in the television soap, he took to the stage to dance to DNCE’s Cake By The Ocean with partner Oti Mabuse.

He was handed three eights and a seven by judges Len Goodman, Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood, leaving him with a total score of 31 out of 40.

Len said: "You are 100 per cent a contender."

Bruno said: "It was everything I wanted. You have an incredible performance power."

Darcey added: "I’m in shock, a man that can actually work his hips. Wow."

Afterwards Danny, 28, said: "This is the most incredible feeling I've had in my life."

The score will be carried over to next week and combined with the next set of marks from a second dance before the public can vote for their favourite to stay in the competition.