SECOND TIME LUCKY FOR JAMIE?

Jamie Laing is making his second attempt at Strictly, having injured his foot while rehearsing for the launch show last year. Actor Kelvin Fletcher, who stepped deftly into his dancing shoes as an 11th hour replacement, went on to win the 2019 series. But if Jamie feels he has a lot to live up to, he’s not admitting it.

‘Kelvin was un-bel-iev-ably good,’ he cries, parodying judge Craig Revel Horwood. ‘I expect he thought, “Thank you, Jamie, for quitting so I could win.” I don’t feel under pressure, but I would feel I’d let myself down if I didn’t train hard enough.

‘I still can’t believe I injured myself last year. It was two seconds into the first group dance and I jumped in the air in a cool, elegant way and something in my foot just snapped. I’d been so excited. I thought I was going to be the next Billy Elliot. My grandma Patricia, who’s in her 90s, said, “Oh dear. I might not still be here next year to watch you.” But thankfully she is.’

Jamie at last year’s launch event, with Alex Scott