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Sid Owen has revealed he decided to go on Strictly Come Dancing to prove his doubters wrong.
The former EastEnders star, best known for playing Ricky Butcher on the BBC soap, admitted he had considered participating on the dance show for a while, but people always warned him against it.
"I've been toying with the idea for a few years now. Everyone I've spoken to has said, 'Don't be silly, don't do it because you've got two left feet and you can't dance'. My ex-partner told me that too, and whatever she tells me not to do, I want to do," he said.
"I'm really excited and looking forward to it because I've got nothing to lose. Hopefully I will become a dancer by the end of it."
Sid is ready to throw himself into training and rehearsals.
"I'm going to work hard. I think that's the key so we'll see what happens. I'm doing all right with the steps so far," he added.
He has enjoyed meeting the other celebrities in the competition, including medal-winning Olympians Victoria Pendleton and Louis Smith, as well as Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh, Westlife's Nicky Byrne, cricketer Michael Vaughan and TV presenter Johnny Ball.
Sid said: "Everyone seems really laid-back and having a laugh. It's been great to see the Olympians. Hats off to them for doing this."
