Claudia Fragapane reckons Ed Balls is a Strictly dark horse

Ed Balls and partner Katya Jones (BBC / Guy Levy)

STRICTLY star Claudia Fragapane reckons Ed Balls could be a dark horse as a shock series winner.

The former Shadow Chancellor was tipped for an early exit but viewers have taken to his often-dodgy routines.

Despite nearly dropping partner Katya Jones and getting slated by the judges, he’s won a legion of fans and prompted speculation he could go all the way.

“I think Ed has got a lot still up his sleeve,” said gymnast Claudia, 19, who won four gold medals at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

“I take my hat off to him for getting on that floor and strutting his stuff every week. You never know, he could be here right to the final. I’m sure he’s going to perform his absolute best.”

And while she says she’s really only aiming to enjoy the experience, Claudia admits she has her glitterball dreams.

“I try not to look at the end and just try to do each dance the best I can.

“But I am naturally competitive and I would love to win. That’d be amazing.”

Claudia and pro partner AJ Pritchard have topped the leaderboard a couple of times, including with last week’s American Smooth in the Halloween special.

And before taking to the floor last night with her Paso Doble to Shut Up And Dance, she was hoping to stay clear of dance-off trouble tonight in what has been hailed as the most competitive series for years.

While most of the celebrities have seen the pounds fall away due to the tough training regime, Claudia revealed she hadn’t lost an ounce – and is actually out of shape.

“My weight is just the same as it was when I started.

“I’m using different muscles and I’m definitely not as ripped and strong as when I went to the Olympics.”

Claudia had to double up on training for the first time last week, fitting in gymnastic work alongside the sparkly dance routines.

And she revealed that she’s hoping Strictly will help give her the edge when it comes to going for Olympic glory in 2020.

“I hope it can push me on to gold – or any medal actually,” she added.

“I’ve grown up even more on this show and now I’ve got the Strictly life as well as the gymnastics life.

“I’m going to try and add some of the speed from the dances I’ve learned here into a new floor routine for next year.

“Hopefully gymnasts all over the world will see it and try and copy it.”

Strictly Come Dancing: The Results BBC1 tonight 7.15pm

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