Footballer hails his perfect partner
When the heat sizzles on the Strictly dancefloor, rumours inevitably abound about blossoming romances.
But, while former footballer David James admits he enjoys fantastic chemistry with his pro partner Nadiya Bychkova, he stresses they are focused solely on making it through another week on the hit show.
“When you’re spending so much time with each other, the chemistry is important,” explains the ex-england goalkeeper, who has now faced the dance-off twice, but survived when presenter Anneka Rice was eliminated last week. “But the goal is to win the competition, get better and better each week, and obviously be entertaining as well.
“Winning a game of football, it doesn’t matter how you do it – if you get three points then it’s arguably a successful day. “Here, we are practising long hours to put together a dance, which is not just technically right but also emotionally right as well. So, we have to have the right chemistry.”
He adds: “Nadiya’s a fantastic teacher and I want to be a fantastic student.
“We’re on Strictly Come Dancing, not Love Island or some other show where people are faced with getting themselves together.”
Last night saw David and Nadiya dance the quickstep to From Now On from The Greatest Showman, and the 49-year-old admits rehearsals have been just as intense as his training during a long and successful career in goal for top English clubs including Liverpool, Aston Villa and Manchester City.
He said: “I don’t think I’ve eaten as much food as I have in the last week. I’ve needed the all-out energy.
“I’ve got aching everything – even my fingers have been hurting!”
Strictly continues tonight, BBC1, 7.15pm