Linford Christie 'didn't fancy' doing Strictly Come Dancing because of his 'two left feet'
OLYMPIC gold medallist Linford Christie has revealed that he turned down the chance to appear on smash hit show Strictly Come Dancing because he has "two left feet".
Linford Christie turned down Strictly because he can't dance
The 55-year-old former British athlete may be extremely talented when it comes to sprinting, but it turns out that his footwork isn't so fancy on the ballroom dancing floor.
Speaking to Radio Times magazine, the Jamaica-born track star explained why he gave up the chance to compete for the glitterball trophy.
"I didn't fancy it because I'm not a good dancer," Linford said. "I'm the only black guy you'll meet with two left feet.
"I spent so much time training in my youth that I missed out on dancing. I'd love to be able to dance."
The former British sprinter was too busy training to dance in his youth
Linford also said he wouldn't appear in a reality TV show again, after he took part in I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here back in 2010 and managed to last just 18 days in the Australian jungle.
"There are far too many [reality shows]," he said. "I know I did I'm A Celebrity, but they're part of that growing intrusive popular culture.
"People want their 15 minutes of fame, but they don't realise it affects their lives forever."
Meanwhile, footballer Jamie Redknapp, 42, and his pop star wife Louise, 40, have ruled themselves out of this year's Strictly line-up after rumours that the couple would be going head-to-head in the competition.
After doing I'm A Celebrity, Linford won't do any more reality TV shows
Denying reports that the husband and wife duo were in advanced talks to join the upcoming series of the BBC1 dance show, a spokeswoman for the pair said: "The story reported is completely untrue.
"Jamie and Louise are not appearing in Strictly this year."
Former This Morning presenters Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, former Liberty X singer Michelle Heaton, singer Peter Andre, EastEnder Shane Richie, and Loose Women's Jamelia are among other names being mentioned in connection with the new series.
Last year's series was won by Caroline Flack, who beat celebrities including Saturdays singer Frankie Bridge and EastEnders actor Jake Wood to win the glitterball trophy.
The BBC are expected to announce the official star-studded lineup in the coming weeks and the series will returns to screens later this year.
Jamie and Louise Redknapp will not be appearing in the next series