Strictly: Sue Barker jokes about lesson with Anton
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Tony Adams initially turned down the chance to join Strictly Come Dancing but after going through heart surgery he made a quick U-turn. The footballing legend performed for the first time on Saturday’s launch show alongside 14 other hopeful celebrities.
Strictly star Tony suffered a heart issue back in 2015 during his time coaching abroad and it pushed him to re-think what he wanted from life.
He told Radio Times: “I had other things going on, to be honest. I was in China and Azerbaijan for a while, coaching.
“But when I had my heart scare [he had surgery in Baku in 2015], I thought ‘I’m going to do stuff that I really enjoy.'”
He added: “I don’t like the jungle one. I can’t cook. And dance is good for the mind, good for your health.”
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Despite being gaining the unfortunate nickname ‘Donkey’ during his early days of his career, he is bullish on his chances of making the final of the glitzy BBC show.
Tony remarked: “There are already better dancers than me, but there were a lot of footballers who were better than me at the start.
“One by one, I went past them because I wanted it more.”
Speaking ahead of his first live performance, Tony admitted: “With the heart condition, I shouldn’t be here, I was 49, I should be dead, so every day is a bonus.
“You kind of get to the stage where, actually, I’ve got no jobs on at the moment.”
Ahead of the new series Tony also addressed the infamous Strictly Curse. He married wife Poppy in 2004 and joked: “I think she’s trying to get rid of me, that’s why she’s pushed me into doing the show.
“‘I’ve had enough of you! It’s been 20 years, please, please off you go!'”
He added: “She’s not the slightest bit worried. Luckily, when I met Poppy 20 years ago, we had a spiritual connection – we don’t live in the physical world or we’d be struggling.”
Tony has been partnered with former Strictly Come Dancing champion Katya Jones who will be hoping they can lift the Glitterball Trophy.
Unfortunately, they didn’t get off to the best of starts as they placed last on the leaderboard.
The pair performed the Tango to Go West by The Village People, a song celebrated by his beloved Arsenal at the Emirates every week.
Tony is currently tied with Kaye Adams with odds of 100/1 to win the series.
It’s looking likely they may be the first couple booted out of the competition on Sunday evening.
Meanwhile, Will Mellor is the frontrunner to win the series with odds of 7/4.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “Will Mellor has caused a shake up in the Strictly betting after a brilliant performance.
“He has knocked Fleur East and Helen Skeleton off the top spot and is now the one to beat as far as the odds are concerned.”
Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday at 6.30pm, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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