‘I feel like I'm living a double life'

Perri Kiely opens up about his hectic schedule, finding love and jungle temptation

- BOBBY NORRIS

Since head-spinning his way to fame on series three of Britain’s Got Talent in 2009, which he won as part of dance troupe Diversity, Perri Kiely’s life has been one big whirlwind.

The 25-year-old is now a radio presenter on KISS Breakfast, co-hosting with Diversity pal Jordan Banjo, and is looking forward to the upcoming Diversity tour, postponed to 2022 due to the pandemic.

He may not have found The One on Celebs Go Dating three years ago, but when I give Perri a call he’s clearly smitten with new girlfriend Laura Smith, a TV production worker he met during his stint on Dancing On Ice last year.

“It wasn’t until after Dancing On Ice that we really started chatting,” he tells me. “But we went into that massive lockdown, so I actually didn’t see her. It’s been a bit of a weird one to get going.”

Here, the dancer gives me the goss about the new love in his life, his time on the ITV skating show and Diversity’s long-awaited tour…

Hi, Perri! Can you believe the sensation Diversity became and that its popularity is still growing, year after year?

It’s crazy. Of course, the plan was always to do this for as long as we can – and we’re still here! It’s been 12 years now and people ask me what my greatest achievement is, and I think it’s that. We’re dancing every single day and we’re still performing. Obviously, that’s been harder with coronavirus, but we’re still doing TV shows left, right and centre. Me and Jordan host KISS Breakfast, too. It’s been a whirlwind.

Was getting to co-host KISS Breakfast a dream gig for you?