Huyton pensioner John Tattersall was living alone in a retirement flat, feeling isolated and depressed, when he discovered an unexpected passion that would turn his life around.
The 72-year-old had "a weight in my mind that was dragging me down" when a worried family member suggested he take up a hobby last May.
Although he had never danced before, John signed up to "Sway with Ray" classes at the Joseph Lappin Centre in Old Swan and hasn't looked back.
He said: "I'm 72. When you get to that age people seem to think you can cope because you've had experiences in life, but you can't.
"I've been living in my retirement flat for 10 years. It can be a bit insular.
"If you want to stay in you can stay in, but then you don't know what life is like outside.
"People of my generation, they didn't have the social media that you have now or go on computers to get help."
John's family started to notice his mood changing.
He said: "The more you stay in the more depressed you get.
"I've never been treated for it, but it's an underlying emotion that a lot of people won't admit that they have."
At first, John was nervous about being the only man in the dance classes.
He said: "You can't imagine how I felt when I first went to that club. It was all women, I felt embarrassed.
"I thought - there's 30 odd women in here, I'll make a show of myself. I've got two left feet.
"But if Ray can do it, I'm going to do it as well, so I went right round the back and did the best I could.
"It's changed my life."
Sway with Ray caters for a variety of ages and also holds classes in other areas of Merseyside, including Garston and Fazakerley .
Those taking part are invited to stay after to socialise and talk about their lives - which has encouraged John to express himself in other ways, such as writing poetry.
He is keen to encourage other older adults, particularly men, to get out of their comfort zone and find comfort from dancing.
John said: "I feel marvellous.
"For that one hour in there to see the see the joy on some of their faces, they put all of the problems in a box and leave it outside of there.
"It's like a little cure."
