Mike Bushell has revealed an impressive one and a half stone weight loss as Strictly Come Dancing goes on tour.
The BBC Breakfast host - who became the seventh celebrity to exit the competition over the weekend following a dance-off with Michelle Visage - has been announced in the lineup for Strictly Live.
He will take part in the UK arena dates with presenter Alex Scott, Corrie star Catherine Tyldesley, EastEnders actress Emma Barton, CBBC’s Karim Zeroual, actor Kelvin Fletcher and YouTuber Saffron Barker.
The seven stars will showcase their choreography skills to a live audience and will be joined by tour judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli - as well as new tour host and reigning Strictly champion Stacey Dooley.
Mike, 53, says he hopes to inspire other ‘non-dancing dads in their 50s’ to learn some moves of their own in a bid to get fit.
He said: “I’m so thrilled to be asked to go on the Strictly tour. I’ve loved my journey on the TV show and have lost a stone and a half in weight - that shows how good dancing is for you.
“I think I’ve shown that even a non-dancing dad in his 50’s can learn some moves and hopefully I can inspire people in venues across the country too.”
This comes just weeks after speaking about his healthy new regime thanks to the BBC dancing programme.
He appeared with wife Emily on BBC Breakfast a few weeks ago and the pair spoke to Dan Walker about his new leaner look.
Emily joked: "He’s fading away. I’m a bit worried about him. It just goes to show the exercise he’s doing, it’s really transformed him.”
Mike said that thanks to the routines he feels “less clumsy” and has a “sharper mind”.
Strictly Live opens at the Arena Birmingham on January 16 and will visit a number of venues across the UK including the Manchester Arena for two dates on January 25-26.
For more information visit strictlycomedancinglive.com .
