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Thursday, 29 November 2007

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John Barnes: I was a porker before Strictly Come Dancing

Ex-football ace says he's danced himself fit again

John Barnes says Strictly Come Dancing helped him get back his toned bod.

'I seemed to have spent the past 10 years of my life in McDonald's,' says the former soccer star.

'As soon as I stopped playing professional football, the pounds piled on. I've lost a stone since I started on the show.'

The dad-of-six, who was booted off the reality series last Saturday, admits that judge Arlene Phillips was quite justified in branding him tubby.

'The judges were right, I was overweight,' he tells Hello!

John, 44, believes that either Alesha Dixon or Kelly Brook should be crowned Strictly Come Dancing champ - but realises that the outcome won't necessarily have anything to do with ability.

'As much as it's a talent show, it's also a popularity show,' he says, 'which I know drives the judges mad.'

SEE VIDEO John Barnes voted off Strictly Come Dancing >>

Tantrums behind the scenes on Strictly Come Dancing >>

Hannah Davies