Bring on the SEQUINS

Pop stars MATT GOSS and FLEUR EAST on why they're hoping to dazzle on the dance floor

STRICTLY COME DANCING SAT & SUN, TIMES VARY, BBC1 ENTERTAINMENT

Chart-topping singers Matt Goss and Fleur East are no strangers to performing in front of huge audiences. But Matt, the frontman of 1980s boy band Bros, and The X Factor 2014 runner-up Fleur admit nothing could have prepared them for the challenge of tripping the light fantastic in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

Matt, who turns 54 on 29 September, has been partnered with professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova, while Fleur, 34, is paired with newbie pro-Vito Coppola. As they limber up ahead of the second live show, airing on BBC1 this Saturday, they tell TV Times about their dance journeys so far…

Why did you sign up, Fleur?

FLEUR Initially, I was like, ‘I’m not a trained dancer. I don’t know if I can handle this.’ But then my younger sister, Keshia, reminded me of how much our late father, Malcolm, who passed away in 2020, loved Strictly.

As soon as she started recalling all the memories of us sitting at home on a Saturday watching Strictly or Dad sneaking out of the X Factor studio on a Sunday to check the Strictly elimination result, I thought, ‘OK, that’s why I’m doing it.’

I’m excited to learn a new skill and be challenged but, mainly, I’m excited that I get to do something that I know my dad would’ve been thrilled to see.

And Matt, how about you?