Krishnan Guru-Murthy got candid about signing up for Strictly Come Dancing following the global pandemic and his heart condition diagnosis.
The British journalist, 53, revealed the lockdown period motivated him to finally accept a role for the BBC show after turning it down several times.
‘Something changed this year. I have been asked to do Strictly before and it has always been a pretty hard no. But this year I think it’s maybe a combination of post pandemic, the time of my life, knowing lots of people have been going through tough times.’
‘I just thought you only live once and this is going to be amazing fun. Why deprive yourself from that amount of joy in your life when you don’t need to?,’ he added.
‘It’s going to be tough, fitting it all in and I had about three conversations with people I trust about whether I should do it or not, and they all instantly said yes, so now is the time to do it, it just felt right.’
Getting real: Krishnan Guru-Murthy, 53, got candid about signing up for Strictly Come Dancing following the global pandemic and his heart condition diagnosis
Challenges: ‘I am overweight and I have got loads of things wrong me, so that’s been my biggest worry about whether I can actually physically do it. Then of course, there is the basic question of, can I dance? And I don’t know the answer to that, I will find out!’, the journalist said
Talking about the biggest challenges of his role on Strictly, Krishnan said: ‘Everything about it is a big challenge. The biggest thing I am scared of is physically not being able to do this. I am not a fit person and I have never exercised really.
‘I am overweight and I have got loads of things wrong me, so that’s been my biggest worry about whether I can actually physically do it. Then of course, there is the basic question of, can I dance? And I don’t know the answer to that, I will find out!’
‘I worry that there is not a lot to work with,’ the broadcaster said candidly.
‘I think I have changed my mind about being Strictly-fied, I think when I first thought about Strictly it was, ‘well you are not going to wear any of that ridiculous stuff!’ and ‘you can’t do glittery and you can’t do sequins and you have got to maintain some dignity’ but the more I think about it, the more I think you just have to place your trust in Strictly and the process.’
‘If you are going to entertain then you have got to do everything that is involved, and that involves costume. So being Strictly-fied is not really about changing Krishnan Guru Murthy, it’s about me getting into character,’ Krishnan explained.
Speaking on his fond memories of Strictly, the Channel 4 journalist said: ‘I think the moment I took notice of Strictly again and thought maybe I could do it one day was when Ed Balls did it.
‘I thought the way he handled it was just brilliant because my initial reaction when I heard that Ed was doing it was, that’s going to be awful.’
‘He was such a triumph and it was such a personal triumph for him and it transformed his life. Then I thought, that’s incredible and I certainly took notice then.’
The TV personality also revealed Bill Bailey is his hero on Strictly.
‘I don’t know him personally, but he was someone I never expected to see on Strictly and I was not expecting him to be good and he was so good. So, I think those two were my two standouts.’
Krishnan admitted to have no dance experience at all, except dancing ‘at night clubs and parties’ during his twenties – making his role in Strictly even more challenging.
‘My sister reminded me the other day, that I think when I was about five, I went into the back of her ballet class, and I probably took part in some way, but that’s it,’ he shared.
The Unreported World presenter spilled the bean about his preparation for the BBC dancing show and said preparing ‘would be a massive overstatement of the truth’.
‘I have done ten days of Pilates. I have lost a lot of weight earlier this year, I went on this massive health kick in April and May, and I lost about eleven kilos and so I am sure that under normal circumstances I would have put most of it back on.
‘But I have tried very hard to keep that weight off, so that is probably the extent of my training which was quite hard when you have been on holiday,’ he added.
The broadcaster said he recently got some advice: ‘I know lots of people who have done the show before, the one I have spoken to is Rob Rinder. Who I know because we went across Namibia together for Sports Relief and his advice was to not think too much and to surrender to Strictly.’
On meeting the other contestants, Krishnan said: ‘I have met Les before back in the dim and distant past and I think we did a gameshow together. I have interviewed Jody as an athlete, he also gave me a little bit of cycle training before I did this dessert trip with Rob Rinder for Sports Relief.’
Coming soon: Krishnan will join stars including Angela Rippon , Annabel Croft and Bobby Brazier in this year’s Strictly line-up, with stars set to take to the floor for the first time in a glitzy launch show on Saturday
‘I don’t think of this as a competitive process for me really, so, I don’t really think of the others like that. I don’t think of myself as competing with them as a thing. I look at Layton and Bobby and their physical ability and youth, you just kind of think they are incredible and that they are going to be brilliant.’
‘I think they are going to be fantastic competitors and they are both really likeable,’ he added.
Discussing the possibility of winning the glittered ball, the TV presenter said: ‘I think if you are doing Strictly, of course you dream of winning the trophy. I will do absolutely everything I can to do as well as I possibly can, but I also live in the real world.’
STRICTLY COME DANCING 2023: WHO ARE THE CONTESTANTS?
Angela Rippon
Age: 78
Profession: Journalist
Angela says: ‘Having been a fan of Strictly since day one, and as a former presenter of Come Dancing, this will be quite an adventure for me. A scary one, considering I’m about to be 79. But I’m looking forward to the challenge, and perhaps being able to learn to dance the Argentine Tango.’
Amanda Abbington
Age: 49
Profession: Actress
Amanda says: ‘I’m thrilled to have been asked to do Strictly. I’m actually really shy and self-conscious so this will be a great opportunity for me to overcome those things.’
Layton Williams
Age: 28
Profession: Actor
Layton says: ‘Absolutely buzzing to confirm that I will be taking part in THE most iconic dance competition in the UK! It’s time to bring it to the Ballroom. So excited to learn new skills from the best. Bring on the sequins… ALL the sequins!’
Krishnan Guru-Murthy
Age: 53
Profession: Journalist
Krishnan says: ‘I’m surprised, delighted and slightly confused to find myself taking part in Strictly on the basis of ‘You only live once!’ I can’t wait to start learning to dance, but I am slightly worried about my general decrepitude.’
Eddie Kadi
Age: 40
Profession: Comedian and radio presenter
Eddie says: ‘WOW. Anyone who knows me, understands that music and dance is so important and central to who I am. I’m so unbelievably proud and honoured that Strictly and the BBC have asked me to join the 2023 Team. I promise you, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got. This is going to be a VIBE.
Angela Scanlon
Age: 39
Profession: TV presenter
Angela says: ‘I’m not particularly fit, I’ve no idea how my pelvic floor is going to react to this dancing. I’ve never done any dances apart from drunken jiving at a wedding!’
Zara McDermott
Age: 26
Profession: Documentary maker and former Love Island star
Zara says: ‘I am so excited to be joining the world of Strictly! I grew up watching it every year with my nan and she was the biggest Strictly fan. We would dance around the house and I have such fond memories of that time in my life.’
Adam Thomas
Age: 34
Profession: Actor and presenter
Adam says: ‘I can’t dance to save my life but I’m buzzing to learn and have a good laugh with my pro. Get me on that dance floor…I can’t wait!’
Nikita Kanda
Age: 27
Profession: Radio and TV presenter
Nikita says: ‘I can’t believe I’m going to be on Strictly. This is a dream come true. I’m still pinching myself. I don’t think it will properly sink in until I step onto the dancefloor. I can’t wait to get glammed up and get out there. Throw the glitter on me!’
Ellie Leach
Age: 22
Profession: Coronation Street star
Ellie says: ‘It still doesn’t feel real that I’m going to be doing Strictly!! It’s always been a dream of mine so I guess dreams really do come true!!!!’
Jody Cundy
Age: 44
Profession: Paralympic champion
Jody says: ‘I’m looking forward to the challenge and pushing myself way out of my comfort zone, especially as I’m always last onto the dance floor. Can’t wait to get stuck in, bring on the glitter and sequins.’
Bobby Brazier
Age: 20
Profession: EastEnders star and model
Bobby says: ‘I’m so excited to be part of the Strictly line up, I can’t wait to start training like a professional dancer and adding a few moves to my locker. I’m looking forward to performing in-front of everyone.’
Nigel Harman
Age: 49
Profession: Actor
Nigel says: ‘I’m amazed, excited, and terrified to be doing Strictly. As an armchair fan of the show I have watched in awe as people have twirled and gyrated across the screen. And now it’s my turn…..gulp!’
Annabel Croft
Age: 57
Profession: Broadcaster and ex tennis player
Annabel says: ‘I have always loved watching Strictly and can’t quite believe I’m going to be part of this magical show – swapping tennis balls for glitter balls and looking forward to finding some joyfulness in the process.’
Les Dennis
Age: 69
Profession: Actor and game show host
Les says: ‘I’m thrilled to be doing this iconic wonderful show as I approach my 70th birthday! In my career I’ve always gone for challenges outside my comfort zone and this is the ultimate one! Can’t wait.’