Shayne: I hope I've got the X Factor to be Strictly winner!

SHAYNE Ward is no stranger to having to perform in front of millions on live TV having kick-started his career on The X Factor almost 20 years ago.

- JESSICA SANSOME

And his desire to win as he takes part in Strictly Come Dancing is no different to what it was back then.

"I've said to myself that it's ok to say I want to win this," Shayne exclusively told the Manchester Evening News. "I think some people may take it the wrong way but I'm like, no, I'd be honoured when I say I want to win this. It'd be an absolute honour to win Strictly Come Dancing because of how amazing the show is.

"To celebrate that 20th anniversary [of Strictly] knowing my 20th anniversary is coming up next year, I'm hoping the stars are going to align and I can have another win. But I've just got to take each dance as it comes."

The actor and singer is among the 15 celebrities taking part in the BBC One dance contest this year. He was partnered with Nancy Xu during the launch show ahead of the first live performances tonight.

Shayne, who hails from Tameside, and Nancy have been busy in training and when the we caught up with Shayne on his way to rehearsals, he admitted he'd already well and truly got the dancing bug.

"It's so full on. Obviously, when you watch professional dancers, they make it look so effortless and they look so free with it and happy and you just realise how much goes into it. But it's absolutely amazing. Without being cliche, I've definitely got the bug for it already and I can understand why they love what they do." He later added: "Your legs are like lead at the end of [rehearsals] and your feet are on fire but you still want more, which is crazy"

Shayne also believes that his time on The X Factor will help him when it comes to performing live and facing the judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke - every week.