Martin Roberts fears enthusiasm to do Strictly Come Dancing has stopped him from being on show
Martin Roberts has wanted to do Strictly Come Dancing for years.
Martin Roberts fears his enthusiasm for doing Strictly Come Dancing has stopped him from being cast on the show.
The 63-year-old TV presenter has been eager to get signed for the BBC Latin and Ballroom dance programme for years because the star wants to take part before he "runs out of time".
And now Martin has apologised to Strictly Come Dancing's bosses for being too keen, which he thinks has put them off from casting him.
Speaking to The Sun, on behalf of BestBettingSites.co.uk, the Homes Under the Hammer host said: "I’m not any more worthy than anybody else to be on the show. I would definitely not criticise the people they’ve chosen. I’m sure they’re very worthy.
"I’m running out of time to do it. And if my enthusiasm for being on the show has riled anybody or upset anybody, then I am really sorry.
"And if my enthusiasm for being on the show has somehow prejudiced my chances of being on the show, then that’s a real cruel irony for me. I meant it in good faith."
In April 2022, Martin was a few hours from death and needed emergency surgery after he suffered from a pericardial effusion, where too much fluid builds up in the sac around the heart.
The I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! 2016 campmate said: "My body won’t survive much longer if I went on Strictly.
"I’m 64 next year, right? Will they love me when I’m 64? OK. I would be the oldest contestant ever. Now, OK, that’s one thing. I’m kind of running out of options here."
Martin would be the fourth oldest contestant on Strictly Come Dancing if he did the show next year, behind TV presenters Angela Rippon, Johnny Ball, and actress Lesley Joseph, who took part at the ages of 79, 74, and 71, respectively.
Martin's health scare has made him even more determined to make the most of life as "none of us know how long we’ve got left".
The entertainer said: "I have good days and bad days. My bones creak more than they used to.
"The health thing was a big scare. The physical side of it is fine, the mental side of it, you still worry a bit.
"It just makes me even more determined to get on with stuff and without being too maudlin. You know, if I was to die tomorrow, people wouldn’t say, 'Well, he was young, wasn’t he?' They’d say, 'Oh, OK, a bit young, but not', that’s a bit scary.
"It’s just driven me to do all the things.
"I do push my body, which is probably not that brilliant for it, but fingers crossed it will hang in there."
The line-up for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 has been revealed.
EastEnders icon Lacey Turner, 38, Neighbours alum Delta Goodrem, 41, Love Island alums Cach Mercer, 25, and 30-year-old Dani Dyer - who withdrew last year due to an ankle injury - and 43-year-old celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton have signed up.
Big Brother host Will Best, 41, Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey, 48, Babs actress Jaime Winstone, 41, football player-turned-pundit Shaun Wright-Phillips, 44, and House of the Dragon's Bethany Antonia, 28, are also taking to the dance floor.
Completing the line-up are dog trainer Graeme Hall, 60, Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb, 34, Olympic skeleton gold medallist Tabby Stoecker, 25, YouTube star John Nellis, 33, and 64-year-old Gavin and Stacey star Melanie Walters.
The new series of Strictly Come Dancing starts in September.
