Our Ballroom Battles!

Strictly favourites Aston Merrygold and Janette Manrara on rivalries, reaching the final, and the special little person they want to impress…

- Emma Bullimore

ENTERTAINMENT

Strictly Come Dancing

SATURDAY / BBC1 / 6.35Pm SUNDAY / BBC1 / 7.15Pm

Pop star Aston Merry gold has bedazzled everyone on this year’s Strictly – if you weren’t charmed by his fabulous foxtrot, his cheeky cha cha in full Trolls costume must have won you over – even Craig raised a smile!

But when TV Times caught up with the JLS singer, 29, and his professional partner, Janette Manrara, 33, in the rehearsal room, they played down their chances of winning, insisting they are taking one week at a time – and said some training sessions are a real struggle.

Here, the pocket rockets reveal all about life under the glitter ball…

Are you enjoying training?

Aston: It’s going well. I love Fridays and Saturdays because I know the routine, but I hate Mondays – it’s stressful not knowing what I’m doing and I put pressure on myself.

How does it feel to be the front runners this year?

Janette: I don’t even want to think about that! I say to Aston it doesn’t matter if we’re top of the leader board, what’s important is doing the best possible job and nailing the routine, because that’s the thing we can control.

Aston: I’m glad people are enjoying the performances as much as I am. I’m trying to do the routines to the best of my ability.

You have some dance experience from your JLS days, Aston – is it coming in handy?