Ed Balls has given Reverend Richard Coles a "detailed training programme" to help him with his chances of winning 'Strictly Come Dancing'.

Ed Balls

Ed Balls

The former politician may not have managed to worm his way into the final of the BBC One ballroom and Latin show with his impressive dad dancing last year, but he has been giving out "helpful" tips to the former 80s pop star-turned presenter.

He said: "I had a very, very helpful and detailed briefing with the former Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer which was very helpful indeed.

"Ed gave very good advice and a detailed training programme."

The Church of England priest isn't worried about having little dancing knowledge or rhythm as he was big on the club scene in Ibiza back in the day, though he's forgotten all of the moves now.

He quipped: "I have extensive dance experience from the nightclubs of Ibiza in 1989 but unfortunately I don't remember any of it at all.

"I did do 'Alternative Miss World' in around 1994 where I played the maracas for Miss Midlands South East."

However, the 55-year-old star has warned his fellow contestants that he is bound to bring out his inner "diva" on the dancefloor because he's very "competitive", though he admits he tries to hide it because he gets "embarrassed".

He told Radio Times: "I'm a competitive person, although I'm embarrassed of being competitive - so I try to mask it.

"But obviously everything will be revealed on this show, so probably a hideously ambitious diva will emerge."

'Strictly Come Dancing' returns on Saturday (09.09.17) with the likes of Ruth Langsford, Mollie King, Alexandra Burke, Gemma Atkinson and Aston Merrygold all set to compete for the glitterball trophy.


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