Ben Cohen prefers to be "close to" Kristina Rihanoff during dance routines on BBC's 'Strictly Come Dancing'.
The 32-year-old sportsman - who has twin five-year-old daughters Harriette and Isabelle with wife Abbie Cohen - is in his comfort zone when he is near his dance partner and feels nervous about being "even two or three feet away from her."
He told The Sun newspaper: "There is a lot of personal space invasion but it is all part of it. I like the Latin dances because I'm more comfortable being closer to Kristina. It feels like there's safety in numbers and even being two, three feet away from her can be scary because it feels like I'm out there on my own.
"The rumba we did a few weeks ago was really good because I was close to Kristina, being guided and it made it easier for me to let go more."
Ben has been taking the competition seriously and the hours he has put in during rehearsals have resulted in him shedding half a stone.
Although he admits he "is not a dancer" he feels he has improved and the pair's rumba received great reviews from judges Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli, Darcey Bussell and Len Goodman.
He explained: "She has taught me well but Kristina's had to have the patience of a saint because I am not a dancer. I surprised myself by surviving week one because I set my bar very low.
"I am progressing slowly but it is still incredibly hard work. I can sometimes pick up the most complicated routines in a minute.
"But then a walk, just one foot in front of the other, can take hours. I'm training so hard that the weight is falling off me, I have lost seven pounds so far."
Tagged in Kristina Rihanoff Len Goodman Ben Cohen