Strictly's Rhys Stephenson shares training technique that secured his high score

CBBC Presenter Rhys Stephenson blew the judges away with his first dance on Strictly Come Dancing and has now revealed the secret of his success.

Performing the Viennese Waltz with dance partner Nancy Xu, Rhys scored an impressive 27 out of 40 earning the couple third place.

When asked on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two tonight why her partner did so well, Nancy said it was because of a 'posturiser' training band.

Showing off the red plastic device, worn around his neck and arms Rhys said: "It's called a posturiser, but it looks like a stocks thing from Victorian times where they throw fruit at you," said Rhys.

"Nancy had me in this and just twirling around with it.

Rhys Stevenson has been wearing a 'torture device' to practice for Strictly (BBC)

"I can feel how my body's supposed to be when doing it."

Show host and former professional dancer Janette Manrara said she had used training bands in the past, but Rhys, 27, was brutal in his description of the aid.

"The band is horrible, the band is a torture device," he declared.

While it may have been uncomfortable to wear, it looks like the posturiser paid off as the pair got the second highest score for a week one Viennese Waltz and some not too shabby comments from the judges.

Rhys said the training belt was like something out of the Victorian era (BBC)

Head judge Shirley Ballas said Rhys was "a talent to watch", while new judge Anton Du Beke said: "Your footwork is immaculate, I thought you were really really good."

Craig Revel Horwood was in agreement saying: "I thought you could smooth it out ever so slightly, but your frame was absolutely lovely throughout."

Rhys was pipped to first place by TV presenter AJ Odudu, who received a seriously stellar 34 points.

Great British Bake Off star John Whaite, who made Strictly history in the first all-male dance, came second with a score of 30.

Rhys and dance partner Nancy Xu came third after their waltz (BBC)

Despite their impressive score Rhys said the routine "was really touch and go" during rehearsals, explaining: "There was so much detail that went into it, it makes it easy to pick out the flaws."

However, he did thank partner Nancy for her coaching.

"I just had to focus and did whatever she said. That's it," he said.

This week the pair will be dancing the Cuban Cha Cha and no doubt hoping to make it to the top of the leaderboard.

Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One on Saturday at 6.45pm