Strictly Come Dancing favourite Kelvin Fletcher says he never imagined he would get to the show’s final when he was signed up as a last-minute contestant.
The former Emmerdale star, 35, and his partner Oti Mabuse danced their way into the final with perfect scores last Saturday, and are favourites to lift the trophy this weekend.
Fletcher replaced reality television star Jamie Laing after he pulled out with a foot injury.
Ahead of the final, Fletcher said: “Doing the competition in the first place is something I didn’t envision. Everything else has been a bonus. It has been nothing but incredible and I have nothing but gratitude for it.
“[Being on Strictly] has been crazy. The circumstances of coming in, someone else’s misfortune, it was hard to take.
"I was delighted at being able to take the opportunity, but it was really bittersweet. I just want to give it my all.”
Fletcher has been training 12 hours a day for weeks in preparation for the final. But the actor says his father, Warren, likes to take credit for his hard work.
He said: “Anything I do I am very committed. I have to do 12 hours a day [training] because it takes me that long to pick it up. I am not quick. My dad says, if I am doing a few moves: ‘Oh I taught you that.’ I mean, what [is he] on about?
“He used to shimmy to a bit of Northern Soul when he went out with my mum and they were courting. My dad was a mechanic. He just tries to claim anything his children are good at.”
Fletcher also paid tribute to his partner Mabuse, saying she was “fierce and relentless. You have to work. And hard work is her forte. And we share that work ethic”.
He is up against EastEnders actress Emma Barton and presenter Karim Zeroual in Saturday’s Strictly Come Dancing final, live on BBC1.
