Karim: ‘I’m the little brother of the Strictly family’
The TV presenter and his dance partner chat Charlestons and pranks…
Before Strictly Come Dancing, you might not have recognised Karim Zeroual unless you spent a lot of time watching kids’ TV. But now the 25-year-old CBBC presenter is tipped to win the show along with partner Amy Dowden, 28. We caught up with the pair for chat…
Karim, how has it been fitting in training alongside your job as a CBBC presenter? K: It’s been quite tricky, because CBBC is not a low-energy kind of job. I train from 9am to 2pm, then go to CBBC where I’m jumping around and learning songs in a hot dog costume, or whatever they throw at me, and then I’m back in the training room until 10.30pm. But the adrenaline, the fun and the energy of both jobs kind of gets me through it when I’m feeling a bit low and tired. Is Amy a strict teacher? K: She does get me to drill through bits again and again! The best thing is she’s gotten to know me personally, so she knows my limits. And I trust her, which is the best thing, because every time I come out on a Saturday and I’m so happy with how it went, it’s all because of the training that Amy put [me] through in the week. The feeling you get on Saturday, it makes it all worth it. She’s an absolutely incredible teacher. Amy, is there a dance you’re looking forward to teaching Karim? A: I’ve never got to do a Charleston with a celebrity partner on Strictly before, and I would absolutely love to get to that this year. It’s full of energy, full of character, you’ve got some lifts in there, it’s a bit cheeky. I’d really love to have that opportunity. K: I think Amy will be lifting me in the Charleston! A: No! Karim, you’re one of the youngest contestants – do you feel like the baby of the group? K: I mean, I kind of take that position myself. I’m like the little bro – I’m like a little Jack Russell running around. A: I rein him in. K: I like pranking people. That’s the great thing about our group, everyone has a place in the family, so I take on the role of the little bro. If anyone is tired or having a down day, I try to cheer them up with my silliness. ■