Grayson Perry keen to appear on Strictly Come Dancing

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 6d

Artist Grayson Perry says that he would "really like to have a go" at competing on Strictly Come Dancing.

Artist Grayson Perry has outlined his desire to compete on Strictly Come Dancing, having previously turned down the BBC ballroom show.

The 60-year-old, who also has a female alter-ego called Claire, rejected an approach to appear on the series in 2017 but has now had a change of heart and is keen to team up with pro Oti Mabuse.

"Oti is fabulous. She's a really great choreographer and I think you're very much beholden to the choreography of the professional," Perry told The Sun.

"I would want to go on as a man because a lot of those dances are incredibly sexual and, dare I say it, erotic. To do it in a dress would feel weird – maybe at Halloween I'd put on a frock.

"And the curse of Strictly? My wife has voiced her concerns. She's said, 'I don't know how I'd handle it if you went on'. It still wouldn't stop me though.

"I've been watching Strictly since the first series and I love it. I really enjoy the show and every year I look at it and think, 'Cor, I'd really like to have a go at that'. I'm pretty fit and I'm not a bad mover either."

The new series of Strictly is still expected to go ahead later this year despite the coronavirus pandemic, although the show will be adapted to comply with social distancing guidelines.