Jeremy a sex symbol? That really is Strictly terrifying!
JEREMY VINE’s dance moves on Strictly have been likened to a ‘stork struck by lightning’ – and he can regularly be found at the bottom of the leaderboard.
But the Radio 2 host is taking comfort from the fact that he has emerged as an unlikely sex symbol in the competition.
The 50-year-old father of two says he has no idea why he has attracted such a huge female fan base. He joked: ‘I saw an article in Grazia magazine which said I was number four in their list of lust. I honestly couldn’t believe it. I don’t know what’s going on.
‘I think it must have had something to do with the pink shower cap I wore in the jive. If there is anyone responsible for that, it’s the Strictly costume department.’
Speaking hours before he took to the dancefloor, Vine said he had no intention of taking the advice of trolls who had advised him to quit the show.
The presenter, who is dancing with world mambo champion Karen Clifton, said he needed to prove to his two daughters that taking part was as important as winning.
He added: ‘When I started I had this crazy idea that I might win the competition. Then I realised that this was unlikely and that it was very important to just keep working. I hope it says there is a reason to stay in the competition beyond winning it.’
The show celebrated its Hallowe’en special last night – the one night of the year when the stars are allowed to be horrific on the dancefloor.
Vine and Miss Clifton, both dressed in bright red, performed a salsa to Michael Jackson’s Thriller.
But the former Newsnight host faced strong competition from rivals including Scots sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher and Brendan Cole, who danced the Charleston to Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance.