Gethin’s back on Strictly, just don’t tell mum

IN an ideal world, Gethin Jones would rather his mum didn’t read this.

In fact, he’d like his mum to know nothing about his appearance on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special – as he’d love to surprise her on the day.

My mum and sister are massive fans of the show,” Gethin told iN10.

“My sister knows, but my mum has been away on the days it’s been spoken about on It Takes Two. For the first time ever, my parents and family are coming to me for Christmas dinner.

“Strictly is a massive part of our day and I’d love to turn it on and mum to look and just go, ‘What?’

“It’s unlikely I’ll get away with it, but it’d be the prefect Christmas present.”

Gethin took part in the 2007 series alongside Camilla Dallerup, coming a very commendable third behind Matt Di Angelo and winner Alesha Dixon.

His affection for the show is evident and he’s been part of the Strictly family this year, reporting from the studios each Friday for It Takes Two.

So the offer to don his dancing shoes alongside new pro Chloe Hewitt took little consideration.

“She’s a real pocket rocket, she can’t rehearse slowly,” laughs Gethin.

“It was weird being back. We’re doing a quickstep and it took a while for the muscles to come back.

“But I found myself smiling as she taught me the first few steps.

“The feeling of dancing with a pro like that is phenomenal.

“I had six weeks of training and it does take over your life.”

The regular series smashed X Factor out of the water on Saturday nights and Gethin reckons he knows why – we’ve all needed a bit of a pick-me-up.

“I think part of the success is that you get to see people you know look so vulnerable through the dance and you see the pressure,” he said.

“But, really, in a year like 2016 which has been so negative and controversial in so many ways, it’s just so positive.

“It’s all glitz and glamour. It’s aspirational, the costumes are incredible and you just get lost in dance for a couple of hours.

“Strictly is the one show the whole family can sit down and enjoy.”

The show, recorded a few weeks back, will be the final judging outing for Len Goodman.

“It’s the last time viewers will see him hold up his paddle and it will be emotional,” adds Gethin.