Kelvin Fletcher has revealed Strictly was the only reality show he wanted to do as he was worried about being branded a ‘bad actor’ for taking part in one.
The Strictly Come Dancing winner said he had turned down offers to take part in ‘so many’ other reality or entertainment shows and was ‘holding out’ for a chance to star in the dance show.
The 38 year old said associating yourself with a reality TV show can put you at the back of the line as an actor when it comes to getting parts.
Speaking on the White Wine Question Time podcast, the former Emmerdale star added he was worried as he was already ‘stigmatised’ as a soap actor.
He said: “I knew how much I wanted to do [Strictly], I knew for two years prior to that, I had auditioned for it and for whatever reason they didn’t want me.
“I had said no to so many of those type of shows as I was holding out for Strictly. For me, it was a show we had watched as a family [and] it is very hard as an actor to come away from a soap.
“You unfortunately are just kind of stigmatised and seen as a soap actor.
“I’m not, I’m an actor - I just happened to be on a soap. I can act in a whole different range of formats and disciplines.
“I don’t know why [and] it’s wrong. [There are] some ridiculously talented actors in soap who work harder. I worked far harder on a soap than I did on a drama just with the nature of the work.
“So it is hard to come away from a soap and associate yourself with a reality show or entertainment show.
“I don’t know why and for me it doesn’t make you a bad actor but the way the industry is it’s so selective and sometimes a little bit snobby – you kind of put yourself at the back of the line again.
“So, I held out for Strictly and then when I had the 'nos' it was a little bit of a crushing blow really.”
Fletcher was brought in to the 2019 line up at the last minute after Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing suffered an ankle injury. He went on to win the series with dance partner Oti Mabuse.
