Ed Balls has admitted he is “weakening” under pressure to get a spray tan to give him a glow on Strictly Come Dancing.
The former shadow chancellor previously said he was not keen on getting some fake colour for the dancefloor, where he is partnered with professional Katya Jones.
But he told the Radio Times the show’s bosses have not given up their campaign.
“The pressure is intensifying from all angles,” he said.
“Apparently if I don’t don the paper pants and climb into the tanning booth pre-show, I’ll look very pale compared with all the other dancers – ‘It’s the lights, darling, they’ll wash you out!’
Ed Balls and his dance partner Katya Jones (Guy Levy/BBC)
“At the time of writing I’m still saying no, but I can feel my resolve weakening…”
The ex-politician, who lost his seat in the 2015 general election, said he had already made some lifestyle changes as he competed on the BBC programme, in part because he was too worn out from rehearsals to protest.
He has said yes to dancing through his lunch break, eight-hour training days and a beer-free diet.
“Why do I keep agreeing? Because I’m so drained at the end of the day, I can barely speak, and certainly can’t get any words out to object,” he said.
Ed was left at the bottom of the leaderboard after his Strictly debut at the weekend.
However, he said he and Katya were working hard to improve his moves.
Ed Balls and Katya Jones (Guy Levy/BBC/PA Images)
The 49-year-old said: “Like many other middle-aged men, I’ve always thought I could show the young ones a thing or two about dancing.
“At weddings and parties, I only need to hear the first notes of Stayin’ Alive or Greased Lightning, and I’m out on the dance floor before you can say ‘John Travolta’.
“But Katya, my professional partner, is less than impressed and has made it clear that our journey on Strictly Come Dancing is going to be a very short one if I carry on like that.
“So instead of wild lumbering, I’m now trying to learn precision.”
This week’s Radio Times in on sale on Tuesday.
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