It's great that ballroom dancing is being recognised. For many years ballroom dancers were misunderstood and other dance forms didn't want anything to do with us.

My favourite dance is the Foxtrot. It's a proper dance with proper music. It has class.

Sadly, it has often been said that my rear is better than my front, so thank you very much indeed.

Being fit is the easiest part of being a dance professional. I used to just throw on a backpack full of rocks and run up a hill. You don't even have to go to a gym.

When I'm dancing with any woman, I immediately get rid of intimacy barriers. I just give her a big hug and crack on.

I like to get up and get out. Otherwise you end up kicking about, and it's easy to flick the telly on; then before you know it, it is 11 A.M. and you haven't done anything.

I don't like the Samba; it's nonsense. With a lot of these Latin dances I can't really understand what they're all about. I like the Rumba and the Paso Doble but the others I could take or leave.