Bobby dazzler

Strictly's favourite on his bond with Dianne, losing his mum at five & his plans for future

- POLLY HUDSON

Bobby Brazier isn't burdened by blisters. Not a new tongue-twister a genuinely surprising fact about someone who has - danced continuously for nine hours a day, every day for two months as part of his intensive Strictly training.

"My body's doing well, it's adapted to dance life quite well. I'm quite proud of it," he reports, as if it's a separate entity, which it probably feels like at this stage.

He does have a pain in the neck though, and no of course he's not talking about pro partner Dianne Buswell.

"Last week, with the Argentine tango," he says. "I've never felt pain like it. My upper shoulders, my upper back and my neck were in absolute pieces because of the lift... that Craig gave us a six for." I start booing at the memory of this travesty, and Bobby laughs: "No, no, I'm only joking. It's OK"

Bobby and Dianne are taking a quick break from rehearsals for tonight's show to chat, and say training is going well.

"At this point in the week, there's not much more information I can really give to Bobby," Dianne explains. "So it's all about running it through to make it feel comfortable and ready.

"We've been training from nine till six lately, as the competition goes on we get a few more hours in because your dances get a bit more complicated, and the expectations get higher. So you kind of up the ante with everything."

Since EastEnders star Bobby foxtrotted on to the Strictly floor this season, in the glow of his National Television Awards win for Best Newcomer, he's captured the hearts of the nation.

He seems to have a unique appeal, to people of all ages, from every walk of life.

It's hard not to assume that he is instantly applauded by everyone he sees all the time, cheered on every step, lifted up on strangers' shoulders and carried adoringly wherever he needs to go whenever he walks down the street.