Two days of rehearsing and I was ready to cha-cha-chuck it: Comic Seann Walsh reveals Strictly training was almost too much for him

STRICTLY contestant Seann Walsh says he almost quit the show just two days into rehearsals because he was finding it so difficult.

The stand-up comedian was one of 15 celebrities who took part in last night’s marathon 140-minute show, the first live episode of the new series.

He performed a tango with partner Katya Jones, last year’s winner alongside Joe McFadden, but revealed he almost never made it to the dancefloor.

“On the second day together we finished on something I just couldn’t get my head around and I genuinely thought I was going to have to quit,” said 32-year-old Seann. “But I decided to go back in the next day and we smashed it.”

Last night’s episode did not see anyone voted out, but Seann, who stars alongside Jack Dee on ITV sitcom Bad Move, says he is so focused on improving that he has taken his work home.

“My girlfriend Rebecca and I have moved all the furniture in the living room to practise the little videos Katya has been sending me.”

This is Katya’s third time on the series. In her first year she memorably partnered former Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls.

“Ed’s been in touch and said we have to really try hard, because that was the key for him, so that’s what we’ve been doing,” she said.

Meanwhile, head judge Shirley Ballas has dismissed criticism that many of this year’s stars are not famous enough.

She said: “You couldn’t have got a better line-up than this. I think actually they’re quite brilliant, aren’t they?

“You’ve got fantastic storylines behind everybody. What more do you want?”