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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Ashleigh Rainbird

David Mitchell says Robert Webb has 'very good chance' in Strictly despite heart op

Robert Webb has a “very good chance” of winning Strictly despite his heart op, says his comedy partner.

David Mitchell, Webb’s co-star in Peep Show and their sketch series, said: “He’s a really good dancer. He won Let’s Dance for Comic Relief.

“And he’s really fit and healthy.”

Mitchell, 47, said Webb, 48, had become a “fitness fanatic” since his heart operation in 2019.

A routine check-up revealed a heart murmur. A cardiologist told him: “This heart is going to fail in the next two to six months.”

He finished filming comedy series Back and underwent a mitral valve prolapse op – and quit booze.

Can Robert win it? Have your say in the comment section

Robert Webb as Kylie Minogue in 2018 (PIC CREDIT: CHANNEL 5)

Mitchell, who hosts Dave’s new comedy series Outsiders, says his friend was known for his dancefloor prowess during their student days together at Cambridge.

He added: “But in a less structured environment. So that will be the key: how does he work with structure.”

Webb said of doing Strictly: “I am ludicrously excited.

“It’s a big, generous, joyful show and I can’t wait to get packed into a Spandex onesie and fired from a glitter cannon directly at Claudia Winkleman.

“At least I think that’s what happens.”

Robert Webb has been confirmed as a celebrity contestant for this year's Strictly Come Dancing (PA)

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David Mitchell added: “He’s also a performer – a natural, funny, charismatic performer so I think he’s got a very good chance.”

Robert Webb said: “My goal is to try and survive from week to week without causing serious injury to myself or innocent bystanders.

“I know it’s going to be a challenge. To do well in this competition is a test of character, although mainly it’s a test of dancing.”

Bookies have Robert as a joint favourite with McFly’s Tom Fletcher to take home the Glitterball trophy this year.

Series 19 of Strictly Come Dancing is due to start on September 18 on BBC1.

  • See David Mitchell test six comedians’ survival skills in Outsiders, on Dave from Wednesday September 29.
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