Ed Balls was the surprise long-runner on last year’s Strictly Come Dancing and now he’s been passing on his words of wisdom to Joe McFadden.
The pair share the same professional dance partner, Katya, so the politician has visited the actor in rehearsals to see how they are getting on.
Holby City actor Joe said it was great to get advice from Ed, who made it to week 10 on last year’s series despite it being fair to say he wasn’t the most talented dancer.
He won over viewers with his amusing routines including his unforgettable salsa to Gangnam Style.
Speaking to Lorraine Kelly on her show today, Joe said: “Ed came to see me and gave me some tips. It was really useful talking to someone who has been through it.
“He told me: ‘Enjoy it while it lasts because it can be taken away so quickly, you don’t know when it will end’.”
Joe said Ed’s words were brought home to him following Charlotte Hawkins’ surprise exit on Sunday after she was in the dance-off with Davood Ghadami.
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The actor, who will perform a paso doble on Saturday, went on to say he’s loving his time on the show but it is already taking its toll on his body.
He said: “My toes are so sore, I’ve had to cut holes in my shoes as they are so swollen. We’re dancing for eight hours a day so you’re going to get sore feet.”
He added that while learning the new routines can be challenging, the hardest part for him is managing his nerves when performing to a live audience every Saturday night.
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“You do get so nervous,” he said. “I just try to stay calm and clear and treat it like an opening night as I have done plenty of them. Except for them you get weeks not days to prepare!”
The Strictly judges have been impressed with Joe so far and he’s been in the top half of the leader board every week.
But will he go as far as Ed Balls – or could he do even better and win it?