Chris Ramsey speaks to the Shields Gazette about 'unbelievable' support on Strictly Come Dancing ahead of Paso Doble

The dad-of-one caught up with the Gazette while taking a breather from training for this weekend’s routine, the Paso Doble – which he says has been the most intense dance yet.

Paired up with professional dancer Karen Hauer, Chris has gone from scoring just 13 points in week one’s Cha Cha Cha to taking home two nines in last week’s special episode from the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, where he performed the Salsa.

And no one is more surprised than the comedian himself to still be dancing as the competition heads in to its final few weeks.

But is Chris thinking, even just a little bit, about that famous Glitterball trophy being on display on his mantelpiece?

“I try not to think about that. I’m trying to think one week at a time. All I can think about is the Paso Doble - if I stop concentrating on that I am going to mess my steps up,” he said.

“I’m overjoyed to have gotten this far, if I get further, happy days, if I don't I have already achieved over and above what I set out to achieve.”

Chris has so far avoided the competition’s dreaded dance-off, which sees the two couples with the lowest scores perform again for the judges’ approval to continue in the competition.

While his marks have not always been the highest, the comedian and Karen have the support of the South Shields community and wider North East – and it’s something that the pair are eternally grateful to have in their corner each week.

Continuing to put in the hours at training, which is taking place at Harton Academy in Shields, is just one of the ways that Chris is working to repay the public for their votes.

“I know it's a dancing competition but at the end of the day it's an entertainment show and that's the beauty of a public vote,” he said.

“The second I am in that dance-off I am gone, in my personal belief. The fact that the public are keeping me in, and the support - it's been unbelievable.”

With the Strictly final firmly in sight, Chris said one of the things the competition has most taught him is perseverance.

Going from a none-dancer to having to perfect a performance-worthy routine in a matter of days is no mean feat, especially with the challenging Paso Doble on the menu.

Branded “Tango on steroids” by Chris, the dance is the total opposite of how the comedian is in his day-to-day life; with the serious dance leaving him “emotionally exhausted”.

But being on the show has also given the 33-year-old, who presents a hugely successful podcast about life and marriage alongside wife Rosie, a chance to let his personality shine through, and allow audiences to learn more about him outside of his stand-up routines.

Chris added: “With the show, it's been nice to get my personality across. It's nice that people are relating to how hard I am working and what I am doing and keeping us in. It's made me so, so happy.”

*The Shields Gazette is backing Chris and Karen in this year’s competition. Please send your messages of support to us on social media using the hashtags #VoteChris and #TeamChrisRamsey. You can also share your selfies supporting the pair and we’ll share the best!