Strictly Come Dancing star Tony Adams says he "fought back the fear" after a dressing room row with professional dancer Katya Jones which reminded him of his Arsenal days. The former footballer said his Strictly partner delivered some "home truths" ahead their American Smooth routine on Saturday night, after he had been "full of fear" during the dress rehearsal.
The Arsenal legend, 56, said the behind-closed-doors dressing-down reminded him of his former manager George Graham. Tony went on to achieve his best total score from the judges so far with 26 for their dance performed to Joe Cocker song 'With A Little Help from My Friends'.
The former Arsenal and England captain and Katya spoke about the backstage row on Strictly spin-off It Takes Two last night (October 18), reports Derbyshire Live. Tony said: "I was full of fear beforehand. We had a team talk. She came into my dressing room after our dress rehearsal and told me a few home truths about me holding back.
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"I think she admits it could have gone either way. I could have thrown my toys out of the pram and gone home. But I fought back the fear and just kind of went for it."
Katya added: "What you said is right, I took a risk. It could have fallen apart or it could have given him that extra fire in his belly. I took a risk because I thought that's what he needs right now. It definitely did pay off."
Tony went on to compare the talk to a telling off from a former manager, saying: "The last time I've been told off like that was by George Graham and I left the dressing room. I said 'that's not for me anymore, I'm going'." He added: "Katya's more attractive than George Graham, maybe that's why I put up with it."
During Saturday night's show, Tony accidentally swore on live TV after exuberantly celebrating his scores from the judges – and specifically Craig Revel Horwood's comment that he did "better" than last week. Co-host Claudia Winkleman apologised to viewers for any "fruity language" that may have been heard as Tony and Katya joined her for a chat after their dance.
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