Saturday, 17 December 2011

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Strictly's Jason Donovan: I was fleshy, suntanned and fun, fun, fun - now I'm a different man

Strictly Come Dancing finalist Jason Donovan explains the pressures of getting to the final

Is the pressure all too much for Jason Donovan?

Ex-Neighbours star Jason Donovan has impressed the judges and the public in this year's Strictly Come Dancing.

He's in tonight's final but it's not been easy - and the competition has pushed Jason to the limits.

‘The whole lead up to Saturday night is excruciating,' he says. ‘If this was a stage production it would get easier, you'd have two hours.

'But you only have one minute and 30 seconds to prove yourself. It's like being an athlete.'

Jason, 43, has been advised to try and get less tense about his performance.

‘It's hard to be relaxed in front of 13 million people.' Jason tells the Daily Mirror. ‘Even my wife says I come across as very serious. But I'm just being me.

‘I do take it seriously. It doesn't mean I'm not a fun character. It's a bigger experience than I thought it would be.

‘Maybe the Jason who started this series looking fleshy, suntanned, fun, fun, fun is different to the man you see now.'

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Anna Lewis