Former world champion boxer Tony Bellew turned down a chance to take part in 'Strictly Come Dancing' this year.
Tony Bellew
The 38-year-old retired pugilist was made a lucrative offer by bosses on the BBC ballroom show to strut his stuff on the dancefloor but he threw the towel in because he just can’t dance and he didn't want to embarrass himself on telly.
When asked if he’d do Strictly, he said: “I’ve just rejected that one, to be honest. That’s not for me. The only time I dance is when David Haye is walking to the ring to 'Ain’t No Stopping Us Now'.”
Since he retired from the ring in July 2018, Bellew - who is the lead pundit on boxing streaming service DAZN - did take part in Channel 4 army show 'SAS: Who Dares Wins', but he admits most reality shows don’t hold much interest for him, especially 'I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!' because he is terrified of bugs.
Speaking to BANG Showbiz to promote new video game 'Big Rumble Boxing: Creed Champions', he said: “Certain things just aren’t for me, like 'I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!', I’m literally petrified of everything on it. I would literally have a heart attack if something crawled up my kecks, or shorts, that could be a cardiac arrest live on TV – it would make great TV, especially with it being me!
"I’m happy with where I am at the minute, the ballroom stuff and 'Dancing On Ice', that’s not for me, I’m not that kind of fella, it just doesn’t sit right with me. It’s great, each to their own, but personally, for me, no thanks."
'Big Rumble Boxing: Creed Champions' - in which Bellew appears as playable character 'Pretty' Ricky Conlan from the 'Creed' movie as well as iconic 'Rocky' fighters such as Clubber Lang, Apollo Creed and Rocky Balboa - is available now on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4 and Xbox.
Visit Bigrumbleboxing.com for more information.
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