Krishnan Guru-Murthy's 'obsession with being unattractive' led him to Strictly

Channel 4 newsreader Krishnan Guru-Murthy was very much inspired by his wife Lisa to join this year's Strictly Come Dancing.

Partnered up with professional dancer Lauren Oakley, the contestant is fresh off a two-and-a-half-stone weight cut and hopes to jive all the way to Glitterball glory.

Read more: Strictly 2023: Couples make their bid to avoid going home first - as it happened

While in conversation with MailOnline, Guru-Murthy weighed in on the complexities of being a 53-year-old man with a "hot" wife.

Asked whether he was insecure, he said: "Yes, definitely. And I think that's not necessarily a bad thing if men pull themselves together because their wives are looking hotter than they are," before confessing how women running off with younger, healthier blokes was "the great fear".

The TV presenter elaborated: "My wife is enjoying that I am a little bit lighter than I was. In a way, I have been trying to keep up with her.

"She's amazing and so I think she's pleased I have started catching and pulling myself together, getting fitter and looking a bit more presentable."

Read more: Krishnan Guru-Murthy amuses viewers after Channel 4 News guest says 'b*******'

In his own words, Guru-Murthy is "a bit obsessed with being overweight and unattractive" and so Strictly viewers are essentially benefitting from this self-awareness.

His aspirations aren't just a return to fitness, though, he wants to emulate 2020 champion Bill Bailey.

"Bill Bailey is my total hero for Strictly because I didn't expect him to do it and then when he did you didn't expect him to be very good. But he was brilliant.

"So if I was ever compared to Bill, I would be delighted," shared Guru-Murthy.

Strictly Come Dancing resumes tonight on BBC One at 7.15pm, where the first celebrity of 2023 will be eliminated.

Watch: Krishnan Guru-Murthy apologises for calling Tory MP Steve Baker a 'c***' on Channel 4 News livestream