Melvin Odoom has turned to ‘EastEnders’ star Jake Wood for dancing advice.
The 36-year-old television presenter – who has been partnered with dance professional Janette Manrara on this year’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ – has admitted he has been "struggling" to pick up the complex routines and has been in contact with the 44-year-old actor, who danced his way to week 12 with Janette in 2014, for tips to twirl into the final.
Speaking on KISS FM – the radio show which Melvin is a resident DJ on – on Friday (30.09.16), he said: "I was struggling picking up the routine, he called us on his lunch break and I said, ‘I’m struggling with this and that,’ and he goes, ‘Do you know what Melv? Janette is a great teacher and a dance partner, you’ve got nothing to worry about.’
"There is no one else that understands my schedule like him. He was doing ‘EastEnders’, he was learning the routine for ‘Strictly’, he was performing every single Saturday so he knows it and he had the same partner as well. So to hear that from him meant so much to me."
And Melvin has revealed he has got the soap star’s phone number saved in case he needs "help" in an emergency.
He explained: "And he [Jake] said, ‘Look, give Melvin my number. If he needs any help, just get him to give me a call,’ and that was the nicest thing for me and he is a genuine guy, he’s a good guy."
Janette has revealed Melvin is apprehensive about taking to the stage on Saturday (01.10.16) to dance the Charleston, although she is confident he will be "amazing".
She said: "Melvin’s really dreading the Charleston and I have a funny feeling he’s going to be amazing at it."
Although Melvin is anxious about tomorrow’s show, he "can’t wait" to take to the floor to dance the salsa, regardless if it is his last dance.
Speaking about his favourite dance, he said: "I can’t wait for salsa, I can’t wait for that, I hope it get that down, and do you know what? If I leave the competition with a salsa, I’ll be happy for learning the salsa."
Melvin Odoom relies on EastEnders Jake Wood for dance advice
