After years of Strictly being criticised for signing up celebrities with professional dance training, show bosses can breathe a sigh of relief in 2019.
Because winner Kelvin Fletcher, 35, has revealed that before taking part in the BBC One programme, he had no strings to his dancing bow.
You’d be forgiven for not believing this - the actor was dubbed “snake hips” for his incredible abilities during his 13 weeks on the dancefloor with professional partner Oti Mabuse.
In the final - where he beat off stiff competition from Emma Barton and Karim Zeroual - Kelvin wowed both the audience and the judges with his showdance to Shout by the Isley Brothers. So much so it received a perfect 40 score.
But the actor, who played Andy Sugden in Emmerdale for 20 years, revealed to the Manchester Evening News that despite his success, he’s had a very unconventional way into the business.
“I have no dancing training - I am a 13 week dancer,” he laughed. “There’s no other training in my background prior to that. It was just down to hard work and dedication and maybe a tiny bit of natural groove.
“I never thought doing choreographed routines would be something I would take to. Learning simple steps - I thought it would take me hours.
“And it did - that’s why we had 12-13 hour days. Coordination didn’t come natural to me, getting your legs and arms to do the opposite moves.
“It was the same with acting to a certain extent - I guess I was a rarity learning on the job as opposed to having classical training.”
Aged eight, Kelvin was a member of Oldham Theatre Workshop for two years before he was snatched up for roles in programmes including Cracker and Heartbeat, before landing the coveted role in the ITV soap.
“The workshop has changed quite a bit from when I was there,” he explained. “Back then it was very much an amateur dramatics group putting on pantomimes and various shows on each year.
“I was eight when I joined - all I knew was, I wanted to act. I dreamed about starring in films, that was a massive ambition when I was growing up - and still is.
“I would go to the cinema and watch the latest blockbuster and dream about one day appearing in one myself.
“That group was my introduction to the acting world and I enjoyed my time there until I left a couple of years later.”
So with this in mind, Kelvin is the first person to be shocked by his Strictly success - especially as he wasn’t actually in the original line up.
The dad-of-two was a last minute addition after Made In Chelsea's Jamie Laing broke his foot and was forced to drop out of the competition before it had even began.
Kelvin said: “I’m still on cloud nine and still pinching myself. It’s been a surreal few days. It was tough at times but it was an amazing experience. It’s gone so fast.
“We got through week one and then week two, then the next thing you know it’s the final. I’m still processing it all, to be honest.”
Looking ahead, Kelvin is hoping to enjoy some family time before heading off on the Strictly Live tour in January.
But while his acting career is his number one priority, he clarified that he definitely would not rule out the change to dance again.
“TV and films are definitely where I want to be, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to do any more dancing,” he explained. “I am a musical theatre fan - it’s just that my heart is in TV and drama at the moment.
“I’d love to do West End one day, though,” he added.
Kelvin was also full of praise for his family about how they helped him through the intensive 13 hour days in training.
He married his long-time girlfriend in Eliza Marsland 2015 and they welcomed daughter Marnie in August 2016 and son Milo last December.
“My family have been very much a part of this with me,” he said. “They’re really proud that they have been able to play a small part in it all.
“The best thing is the fact that the result is down to the public, who decide who will be the winner. That makes it all the more special. To get a 40 in the final was amazing. I will miss it.”
Strictly Come Dancing UK Arena Tour runs at Manchester Arena from 25 January until 26 January.
Visit strictlycomedancinglive.com for venues and tickets.
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