Rev Richard Coles: Ed Balls has given me some Strictly tips

Strictly Come Dancing contestant Reverend Richard Coles has said he has been taking tips from Ed Balls, who has urged him not to practice too much.

The former pop star said he hopes his struggles on the dancefloor provide some entertainment for viewers at home and promised he will be fully coated in spray tan by the time the first show airs.

Arriving at the launch event for the new series, he told the Press Association: “I didn’t know I had a shimmy down the carpet inside me and then explosions and glitter and the roar of the crowd and I discovered this showbusiness beast latent within. Perhaps it’s been lying dormant for a while, maybe it was always there.

“I found out quite a while ago that I was doing it and I got a briefing from the Right Honourable Ed Balls, former Chancellor of the Exchequer, who made such a success of it last year and he gave me a very helpful briefing.

“He said don’t practice actually because it’s all about the journey inevitably and if you have a very steep hill to climb, and indeed I do, that might be a quite an amusing story for people to watch.

He added: “I dieted carefully, I cut down on pork pies. I’m perhaps not fully there in terms of physical conditioning. They are going to have to dip me in spray tan, I am going to swim in spray tan. I think if you’re going to do it then do it and get the maximum out of it.”

His co-star Brian Conley said he will also be embracing the fake tan, as long as his necklines aren’t too plunging.

He said: “I haven’t got a six pack, I have got a beer barrel. If I’m wearing something I’m all right as long as I can put Spanx under it. I should be wearing a sports bra, I’ve got to be honest.

“I’m happy to wear whatever they wish as long as it isn’t too revealing. But I have been sewing sequins on my jacket since Christmas so I’m up for this.

“With regards to tan I’m going Essex orange which is one down from David Jason.

“I’m up for it, I’m happy to be sprayed, you have to go in one of those booths in paper pants.”

JLS singer Aston Merrygold said he is looking forward to embracing the show’s revealing costumes.

He said: “It’s Strictly, if you’re going to do the show, go in and just go all out.

“The show has been going on long enough to know what the ins and outs are, I’m ready for the sequins, I’m ready for the glitter, I’m ready for the tightness, the skin, whatever, you have to go all out.”

He added he has been taking advice from some experienced sources.

“I actually got Louis Smith and Alesha Dixon, who both won the show, and the thing they both said is discipline, this whole style of dance is discipline and I’m a self-taught dancer, I probably should have gone to class, but they said you’re going to love it.”

Sunday Brunch star Simon Rimmer added: “I’ve had my fitting and I’m dead excited, the outfits are the best bit.

“I am going all the way, all my body hair is going, I’m having burnt umber spray tan, I will be unrecognisable.”