STRICTLY’S Katya Jones has banned dance partner Ed Balls from booze and put him on a diet.
The ex-Shadow Chancellor, 49, compared his dad dancing on the first show to that of a “slug” while his family said he looked like a “camp rugby player”.
But Katya, 27, has made him undergo gruelling seven-hour training sessions and even claims his belly will give them an added advantage.
In an exclusive first interview, she said: “It was quite funny that after the launch show we met at the after-drinks and we were just chatting and he turned round to the bar and had a sip of beer.
“I said, ‘What’s that?’ He said: ‘What?’ I said, ‘In your hand, that beer. That’s your last one.’ He felt guilty and looked at me. I told him it starts right now.
“He has a big belly at the moment but it’s good for our close connection.”
Katya, who is making her debut on the show, has placed the former Shadow Chancellor on a carb-free diet and has held rehearsals most days for at least six hours which leaves him shattered.
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The Sun revealed last week she even travelled to Norwich so Ed didn’t miss training when he wanted a final weekend off to watch his beloved Canaries play.
When asked what went through her mind when she was paired with Ed, she smiled and replied: “I just thought it’s my first show and I honestly wouldn’t mind any of them. All of the contestants are so good.
“Ed’s got rhythm, he can play piano and do his counting from that. [His family] keep telling me work him really hard. He’s really determined and he won’t ever give up.
“Dancing is such a hard exercise and as long as we keep at it that’s going to happen. He’s quite worn out every day.
“I’m sure he’ll be getting thin.”
Strictly Come Dancing’s first live show is on BBC1 next Friday.
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