WATCH: Daydream Believers Lee and 86-year-old Pat dance their way to second place

A video of a care worker dancing with an 86-year-old resident at a Northumberland care home has been named runner-up in a national competition.
Pat and Lee HoldroydPat and Lee Holdroyd
Pat and Lee Holdroyd

Wansbeck Care Home, in Choppington, landed second place in Care Home Idol with its video of care worker Lee Holdroyd dancing with resident Pat to the Monkees song Daydream Believer.

The care home posted the video on its Facebook page and within days it went viral, being watched by thousands of people all around the around. Lee started dancing with 86-year-old Pat one evening, after she felt a bit down and restless as he knew how much she loved to sing and dance.

Pat and Lee HoldroydPat and Lee Holdroyd
Pat and Lee Holdroyd
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Wansbeck entered this video in carehome.co.uk’s annual contest which is designed to showcase the talent and vibrancy that exists in care homes and challenge people’s preconceptions of residential care. Contestants comprised of residents and staff from the UK’s 19,000 care homes with the winner chosen by Sylvie Silver, director of National Activity Providers Association.

The video has even sparked two family reunions - Pat's brother who lives in Canada hadn't seen her since moving to Canada after the war and he was shown the video by his family who noticed it on Facebook. Lee's older brother also got in touch with him after he saw the video online to tell him how proud he is after not speaking for many years.

Denise Hyden, care home manager, revealed that on being told they were runners-up, Pat shouted: 'Fantastic, we’re simply the best'.

She added: "We are over the moon to be runners-up with our Pat and Lee’s dance. Lee said he was thrilled and said Pat was the star and the video will continue to bring smiles to our family as that’s what we are, one family.

Pat and Lee HoldroydPat and Lee Holdroyd
Pat and Lee Holdroyd
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"And the music and laughter will never stop in our home. As home manager, I am proud of the staff and the dedication and the passion, that’s why they have achieved an outstanding in care with CQC because they are the best."

Davina Ludlow, director of carehome.co.uk, said: "We would like to congratulate Lee and Pat for coming runners-up in Care Home Idol 2016 with their heartwarming dance.

"We had so many entries this year and we have been pleased to see so many care-home residents and staff get involved. Care Home Idol is a fantastic opportunity to shine a spotlight on all the wonderful talent that exists in care homes."