Strictly Come Dancing star Zoe Ball needs you.

The Argus is today calling on the people of Sussex to back Zoe, one of our favourite celebrities, to help keep her in the hit television show.

Everyone can help by voting for Zoe, who narrowly escaped eviction from the BBC 1 show last Saturday.

The image of Sussex has been given a huge boost in the past by Zoe and her husband DJ Norman Cook, so now its time to do them a favour or two.

Zoe, 35, scraped through despite being dogged by flu during her gruelling training regime as she tried to master her cha-cha-cha and American smooth dance routines with partner Ian Waite.

Now Zoe, who lives in Hove with Norman and their four-year-old son Woody, needs the support of her adopted home county to ensure she makes it to the final - and goes on to win.

Zoe said: "Everyone's saying they want a man to win this year so it's going to be difficult but at the moment we only want a chance to get into the final because we'd be gutted not to get there.

"It's been a ball, 12 weeks of dressing up and being made to look glamorous on the dance floor. It's been awesome and I'd like it to continue for another week.

"If people have ever enjoyed watching me dance, maybe liked my tango or quickstep, then it would be great if they did me the biggest favour by calling in because I really need the people of Sussex to support us otherwise we're going home.

"If people can call constantly, literally calling the number on redial, then fantastic, especially because a proportion of the money for each call goes to Children In Need. I'm sure if they needed a tyre changed or some babysitting in the new year, I would oblige."

Along with training up to six hours a day and combatting last week's flu, Zoe has been in turmoil with the illness of her grandmother Irene Hicks, who died from cancer on Tuesday.

She said: "My family is really sad at the moment so on Saturday night I'm going to dance for my nan and if I get through, fantastic.

"If not, I know she will be with me anyway.

"I don't think we've a chance of winning - I think Colin is going to walk it - but I would like to say we gave him and Darren a run for their money. Besides, it would be nice to have one girl in the final."

Zoe had no dance training before rehearsing for the show apart from ballet classes when she was five, which gave way to her tomboy tendencies.

Any dancing she has done since has been at home when she pretends to be a West End star.

Actress Patsy Palmer, from Brighton, was evicted from the show last Saturday, leaving Zoe, cricketer Darren Gough, athlete Colin Jackson and celebrity chef James Martin to fight it out this weekend for the glory of reaching the final.

Zoe would like Darren Gough to win if she does not make the grade.

The Barnsley Chronicle has launched a campaign for its readers to back their local cricketing hero but Zoe's uncle, Colin Robins, 72, who lives just outside Barnsley said locals were supporting her.

He said: "It's all good humoured but I've been asked what I think of Darren's dancing and I've said, 'well, he's a good cricketer'.

"Most people I've spoken to in shops here are saying Zoe's doing well so, believe me, there are quite a few in Barnsley supporting her as well."

Look out in tomorrow's paper for our campaign poster for you to put up and urge your neighbours to vote for Zoe Ball on Saturday.