Last dance saloon

Julian Clary feels sorry for the Strictly contestants these days, saying it was all far easier when he did the show back in 2004.

Julian, 59, who finished third with his partner Erin Boag, says: “I watch Strictly nowadays and I think, ‘Those poor souls’. “We did 10 weeks. They work so hard.” The comic, who will tour with his new show Born to Mince next year, adds: “In my day you did your turn and then went to your dressing room and had a snout.

“Now they have to stand there gurning in the background.”