Krishnan Guru-Murthy released his inner raver tonight as he wowed judges on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.

The Channel 4 host, 53, was nearly 15 stone when he agreed to take part in the high-energy BBC competition show. Yet tonight, he was arguably one of the stand-out stars, evening transporting Craig Revel Horwood "back to a rave" with his energetic performance.

Scoring a total of 22, the newsreader can only go up from here and may not be returning to the day job anytime soon, "I'm not sure I'm going to be to watch the news ever the same again after that", said Horwood.

Mr Guru-Murthy was pushed to take control of his health ahead of his ballroom journey, telling The Times: "Suddenly I felt it was time to say, "Sod it, why not?"

"And it was probably now or never. The longer I waited, the less likely I’d physically be able to do it."

 

Speaking ahead of the new series, host Claudia Winkleman described the cast and crew to be like a family.

"It feels like a huge privilege"

"Just being part of this show is a total joy. I know this might sound revolting but it is a family and we can’t wait to all be back together. Crew, production, hair, make-up, the pros and Dave Arch. My husband, we love to get back together…. The biggest challenge is walking in heels," she shared of her thoughts on working with her fellow Strictly stars.

Tess, herself, loves that it is a show that can be enjoyed by all of the family, as she explained how "wonderful" it is to be a part of.

She said: "It feels like a huge privilege to be part of a TV show that the nation has taken to their hearts. Families have grown up together, watching it on a Saturday night, they tell me all the time! It feels wonderful to be a part of that.

"I think the reason it’s remained so popular is because in a nutshell it’s joyful, it’s warm and celebratory feel-good television which happens to be made by the most wonderful and talented production crew you could ever wish to work with. I love every last one of them."