Strictly star would be proud if daughter took up dance

Kelvin Fletcher has said he would be a proud father if his daughter chose to be a dancer.

The soap star has wowed judges on Strictly Come Dancing, becoming one of the competition favourites with Oti Mabuse.

Fletcher said he would be proud if his daughter Marnie, now three, chose to pursue the same career as his Strictly partner.

The Emmerdale actor also wishes he had found his dancing feet sooner.

He was speaking at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, where his daughter visited for a sneak peek of “what Daddy can do” during rehearsal for the show.

Fletcher said backstage: “I’ve got a three-year-old daughter. To picture her being a dancer, I’d absolutely love that.

“I’m in absolute awe of what they do. Just seeing them work, they’re incredible. They’re athletes: their mental resilience, physical strength, their grace, their presence.”

He added: “I think it’s an amazing art form and a great way to express yourself.”

Fletcher has taken the competition by storm and has been consistently one of the favourites to win this year, despite arriving late to replace the injured Jamie Laing.

“Maybe in another life I would have liked to have been a dancer,” he said.

Kelvin Fletcher