Danny John-Jules has joked he wanted to be hit by the 'Strictly Come Dancing' "curse".

Danny John-Jules

Danny John-Jules

The former 'Red Dwarf' actor has been married to Petula Langlais - the mother of his children Dante, 12, and 10-year-old Danae - for 17 years and quipped he hoped being partnered with Amy Dowden on the programme would spell the end for their relationship.

Asked about the infamous curse, he said: "I only came in for the curse because I've been trying to get rid of my missus for years."

But the 58-year-old star dismissed the curse is "rubbish" and isn't something he's had to think about.

He told The Sun newspaper: "Who's frightened of a curse? That's mythical. That's like saying, do you believe in Santa Claus? Are you frightened of Santa? No.

"I'm an entertainer, the celebrities can worry about the curse, but I don't worry, I'm an entertainer.

"That's rubbish. I would not waste my time -- we're talking about a fantasy here -- there's more reality in a Red Dwarf script than that curse. It's laughable."

Danny also admitted he doesn't spend any time with any of the other contestants, unless he's booked for promotion with them.

He said: "I haven't socialised with any of those people outside the show. My focus is my next number.

"I have not been out after work with one single member of the cast, not once have I been out with them, whatever it is.

"Anything which is part of our contract -- for example It Takes Two -- I'll do, but as far as socialising, I have not been out with one member of the cast.

"We came here to be tested, not to prance up and down like some old luvvie, drinking martinis and having the odd knees-up."