Robert Webb's health problems were his inspiration for signing up to 'Strictly Come Dancing'.
Robert Webb
The 'Peep Show' star underwent open heart surgery almost two years after doctors discovered he had a prolapsed mitral valve and after getting through the medical scare he decided he would no longer say no to any opportunities that came his way.
Speaking to BANG Showbiz and assembled media ahead of the launch of the new series of the BBC One ballroom show, he said: "About two years ago I had quite a big deal health thing, I had a prolapsed mitral valve so I had to have open heart surgery, so since then I think my attitude is basically this is not time to be cool and sitting at the edges watching the other people do the dancing. If you’ve something to offer it might be time to offer it.
“Also, I’ve spent a lot of time writing and I felt the need to reconnect with the audience as a performer. It looks like a lot of fun, very hard, but fun.”
Webb, 48, plans to show off his surgery scar if he makes it to Halloween week, and he has an outfit already in mind.
He said: "It will be the two-year anniversary of my heart surgery on Halloween, I had the operation on November 1 and I think Halloween week is very close to it. So that would be the show to wear a costume and get my scar covered in glitter. That’s my big idea.”
Webb previously won 'Let's Dance For Comic Relief' when he took part in the show in 2009, famously dressing in a curly wig, leg-warmers and a skimpy leotard to look like actress Jennifer Beals from 'Flashdance' and he thinks he has a chance of taking home the glitterball trophy.
He said: "It would be lovely to win. If I got more than half way through, then I expect I will get very competitive and I expect I will start poisoning other people’s energy drinks and setting trap doors for Greg Wise."
'Strictly Come Dancing' starts on Saturday 18 September at 7.45pm on BBC One.
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