Hamza Yassin is to land his own nature show.
Hamza Yassin is to land his own nature show
The 32-year-old wildlife cameraman has proven a hit with viewers on this year's 'Strictly Come Dancing' so BBC bosses are keen to offer him his own mainstream series in order to take advantage of his popularity.
A source told The Sun newspaper's Bizarre TV column: “He’s been nothing short of a sensation on Strictly this year, coming from being a virtual unknown to becoming a huge favourite among viewers and judges alike.
“That’s why he’s invariably been near the top of the scoreboard every week and has never been in the dance-off.
“But his popularity is as much to do with his personality and humility as anything else — and that’s what bosses are keen to develop further.”
The CBeebies star has previously worked on nature shows for the BBC and Channel 4 including 'Animal Park' and 'Scotland: Escape to the Wilderness', but 'Strictly' host Claudia Winkleman recently revealed she didn't know who he was when he signed up for the Latin and ballroom contest.
Asked if she knows who all the celebrities on the show are, she said: “It doesn’t matter. I mean, I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t know Hamza. Hamza, by the way, I am going to steal.”
Asked if she really wants to have an affair with Hamza, she exclaimed: “No, of course not! No, no! It’s leaving a pan in the sink for somebody else to wash. It’s the same level. Not fine. Entitlement on any level is wrong.”
Hamza - who is partnered by Jowita Przystal on the show - recently revealed he has lost a lot of weight while training for the show.
He said: "I've lost a lot of weight already, around 6.5kg [1.02-stone], which is unheard of really.
"But if you're training nine hours a day you kind of get that. It's hard.
“Everything just aches and aches. With the foxtrot my knees ached, then it was my knees and my lower back for the jive, and this week it's a hard dance."
"These guys [the professional dancers] have been doing it for 12 to 15 years and we have to come to their standards in four days.
"We [the celebrities] are never going to get to their standards, but we still have to learn the basics and do a show and perform and deliver it on a Saturday.
"It's kind of crazy, but I'm absolutely enjoying it."
Tagged in Claudia Winkleman