Graeme Swann doesn’t want to be called a "shock sex symbol".
The former England cricketer – famed for his ‘sprinkler dance’ celebration – is adamant he doesn’t want people to comment on his good looks while competing on BBC’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ because it’s a "back-handed compliment".
Speaking to the Evening Standard newspaper, Graeme said: "I put a picture up as a joke. Then I looked at it properly and thought, ‘I’ve lost a lot of weight from dancing.’ The only thing I’m worried about is everyone calling me a ‘shock’ sex symbol. That is a back-handed compliment if I ever heard one."
The 39-year-old sportsman – who is partnered with professional dancer Oti Mabuse, 28, for the competition – has seen his fitness level soar since he started training for the show but he’s slightly disappointed that his three children "recognise" him more from ‘Strictly’ than when he played for his country.
He explained: "I didn’t like cricket towards the end of my career because all the younger, fitter lads were coming through. But I’d be okay now, I think, with my dancing training. I really want it to cross over. The kids recognise me more from one episode of ‘Strictly’ than the 60 Test matches I played for my country.
"In some parts of the world, the cricket World Cup is bigger than the football World Cup. We have to inspire kids to get into it."
Meanwhile, ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ is known for its infamous "curse" – which sees celebrities leave their romantic partners in order to embark on a relationship with their professional dance partner – but Graeme is adamant him and his wife Sarah, whom he married in 2010, will be fine throughout the competition.
He said recently: "I’ve heard about the ‘Strictly’ curse, but it doesn’t bother me one bit. I simply can’t afford to get a divorce so it’s not going to happen."
Graeme Swann doesn’t want to be named ‘shock sex symbol’
