BBC Strictly's Paul Merson makes subtle dig at co-star as he issues show promise

Strictly: Paul Merson on dad duties during It Takes Two

In a candid revelation, Paul Merson highlighted his precarious position on Strictly Come Dancing as he grapples with the possibility of being ousted from the illustrious dance contest.

The 56 year old ex-footballer is feeling the heat and has declared he will fiercely battle to maintain his place on the BBC's hit dance floor extravaganza. The star has admitted he's already two stone lighter after being hard at work with the gruelling rehearsals.

With former glam rock icon Toyah Wilcox having danced her last dance on the show, Merson, who carved out a successful football career with Arsenal and England, acknowledges he's not top of the league when it comes to dancing prowess.

He recognises himself as the next potential casualty in the eyes of judges and voting public alike.

Merson told The Sun: "I'm 100 per cent in a relegation battle because the standards on this year's show are through the roof. Some of the other dancers are just amazing. And now Toyah Willcox has gone, it will be hard for me and I am up against it. But I don't look that far ahead. I live in the moment."

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Paul Merson has made a subtle dig at his former co-star (Image: BBC)

Honestly, I wasn't exaggerating when I said I'd danced three times - once at each of my three weddings. I've improved a hundredfold. But that's the whole idea of the show - people come on who have got two left feet and they try to get better and better."

While chatting on the Strictly companion programme It Takes Two, host Janette Manrara inquired about Paul's feelings on achieving his top score to date. Paul responded: "It was amazing just to get a nice dance. Obviously a barbecue and Vindaloo and Football's Coming Home and looking like someone who works on a ship... yeah, it was nice to dance. I thought Karen deserved that as well, to be fair to her," reports the Mirror.

Paul made comments about Toyah (Image: Getty)

Paul also joked about his previous performances, adding: "I felt more comfortable. It was just nice. When I first took up the chance to come on the show, this was what I thought it would be roughly. Do you know what I mean? It was nice to get one of those dances in. Before, I just thought of Fred Astaire and I couldn't see him dancing to Vindaloo."

Paul opened up about his remarkable weight loss journey, revealing a fresh target after dropping a substantial two stones during the show. He commented: "Also, my aim was to get well under 14st before I went out of Strictly, and I'm 14st right now - I haven't been that light for 20 years. So when I was in the dance-off I was like, 'I'm 14st 3lb - I need to stay! ' So it's not about staying in to win, I just want to lose more weight. If I work hard this week I should get under 14st."

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BBC Strictly's Paul Merson makes subtle dig at co-star as he issues show promise

BBC Strictly's Paul Merson makes subtle dig at co-star as he issues show promise

BBC Strictly's Paul Merson makes subtle dig at co-star as he issues show promise

BBC Strictly's Paul Merson makes subtle dig at co-star as he issues show promise

BBC Strictly's Paul Merson makes subtle dig at co-star as he issues show promise