'Strictly' 2021: Tom Fletcher says his kids cringe when he dances with wife Giovanna
Tom Fletcher has revealed his children are embarrassed when he tries practising his moves for Strictly Come Dancing at home with wife Giovanna.
The McFly singer – who is taking part in the BBC dance show this year – said sons Buzz, seven, Buddy, five, and Max, three, cringe when they see him dancing.
Tom, 36, told Yahoo UK: "My kids get embarrassed. I have tried doing a bit dancing around the house and they get embarrassed and they don't want to watch.
"You know, like looking at your parents kiss or something. Looking at me dance, they're like, 'Urgh! That's so gross, Dad, what are you doing?' So I'm not sure what that says about my dancing abilities."
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But he said son Buzz, a fan of the show, and is excited to see him take part in the specials such as Movies Week.
Tom explained: "Buzz over the last couple of [years] has been such a huge fan of Strictly – like, really emotionally invested. When [actor] Chris Ramsey was in a couple of years ago, he cried his eyes out when Chris didn't get through.
"Seeing him really get into it and then when they asked if I would do it, I thought 'My son would love this.' It's his fault."
Despite Tom having gone to theatre school – where he met Giovanna – he claims to be an awkward dancer and so unfit he is unable to touch his toes.
He said: "I can't touch my toes! I'm so not flexible. And when I signed up to Strictly I thought, 'I'm getting in shape. I'm gonna do yoga and Pilates, I'm going to eat well,' and that just went out the window.
"I tried to touch my toes this morning, knowing full well it's way too late, that ship has sailed.
"Maybe by the end of it, I'll be able to touch my toes."
The All About You singer admits he does feel under pressure given he's following in the footsteps of bandmate Harry Judd, who won the show in 2010 – but does not believe he has a chance of taking the glitterball trophy home himself.
Tom said: "I checked with Harry first, it was sort of 'his thing', so I wanted to make sure he was OK with it, and he was fully supportive and said I would have the best time."
He added: "I've always felt if I did it, it would be kind of pressure. Strictly's been a part of McFly's history – it was an amazing time for our band when he won.
"So I did kind of feel like there's pressure for me to go far. But I feel like after 10 years, I just want to have a fun experience and not worry about competing with Harry Judd!"
Tom confessed: "I'm hoping that I get to experience as many dances as possible but don't in any way think that I'm going to win."
But he is keen to see how judge Craig Revel Horwood will compare him to Judd.
He said: "I'd like to impress Craig because he'll be the only one that can actually compare us."
Also taking part this year are BBC Breakfast star Dan Walker, Gordon Ramsay's daughter Tilly Ramsay, Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty, EastEnders stars Nina Wadia and Rose Ayling-Ellis and former Bake Off winner John Whaite.
Comedian Robert Webb, actor Greg Wise and Coronation Street star Katie McGlynn are also among the stars taking to the dancefloor in the hope of winning the coveted glitterball trophy.
Read more: Strictly 2021: Where is Bruno Tonioli? Who is on the judging panel?
Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas will be back, but Anton Du Beke will be filling in for Bruno Tonioli.
Tonioli is unable to take part because of the complications of travelling between the UK and the US, where he judges Dancing With The Stars, amid the COVID pandemic.
Watch: Who is Strictly's Tom Fletcher?