CAPTURED on camera, these are the first tentative footsteps onto the dance floor taken by Hampshire’s Strictly Come Dancing star.

As he prepares to take to the Strictly ballroom tonight, the Daily Echo can reveal this never seen before photo of Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills.

Taken when he was around eight years old, the young Scott smiles as he dances with his nan, Pat Mills, who would regularly take him to Hamble Social Club and take him around the dance floor.

His dad, Pete Mills, who runs the New Forest Motor Company with Scott’s step-mum Sue, said: “His nan was massively into her dancing. She did ballroom dancing and used to drag Scott around the floor. He went for the music. She would be so proud of him doing Strictly.”

Pete and Sue know how tough learning to dance has been for Scott and are helping to drum up support with a sign outside their business, urging people to vote for Scott.

If he is to stay in the running for the famous glitterball trophy, he is going to need all the votes he can get from viewers in Hampshire.

Tonight Scott, who grew up in Eastleigh, will take on the notoriously difficult samba as Strictly hosts its movie night.

The former Crestwood School pupil and his professional dance partner Joanne Clifton will be performing to the song Under the Sea from Disney’s The Little Mermaid, which will see Scott dressed as a crab.

Scott, who admits he is not a natural dancer, found himself at the bottom of the leader board after his first dance, but he moved up to second from bottom after last week’s tango, scoring four points more than in week one.

He said: “I was really pleased. Twenty points is a lot better that 16, so I am so happy.”

His partner Joanne added: “I am so proud. He is what the competition is about, every week improving, getting a little bit better. Even Craig said he improved.”

• Watch Scott perform his samba on BBC1 from 6.30pm tonight.