Former hurdler Colin Jackson tells Matthew Jenkin about going on tour to fight for the title of Strictly champion, how dancing changed his life and lifts the lid on doll-gate.

AS AN Olympic hurdler Colin Jackson is used to kicking his legs up in the air and being scrutinised by judges. What he’s not used to is coming second.

So missing out on being crowned Strictly Come Dancing champion to Darren Gough in 2005 must still rankle the Welshman.

“For me to lose to someone like Darren wasn’t a massive issue,” said Colin, brushing away his defeat on the hit BBC show.

“I felt more for my dance partner because ultimately they are the ones who have put the hard work and effort in.”

It’s no surprise Colin is eager to prove his fancy foot work again in the Strictly live tour, heading to The O2 next month.

As well as facing competitors from this year’s series, including Patsy Kensit and dark horse Ann Widdecombe, he will face last year’s runner-up Ricky Whittle.

Ricky, like Colin, was the clear favourite to win the contest and as such the 43-year-old says he sees the Hollyoaks actor as a real threat in the live tour.

But if Colin really wants to win his rightful crown as king of the ballroom he can’t afford to make another mistake like the disastrous routine he performed in the final, in which he danced with partner Erin Boag and rag dolls.

“You mean doll-gate?” he laughs.

“Well, I don’t really know if that’s why we lost.

“You can never be sure. You’re only as good as your last dance, so perhaps that may have something to do with it.

“Then again, it’s for your professional partner to make that decision. If they make the wrong decision, then obviously it’s an issue.”

Colin admits he had his doubts about the dolls.

He said: “Two days before we actually danced, I said to Erin, ‘Are you sure about these dolls?’”

“We still had time to learn a new routine and deliver a dance. So it wouldn’t have been an issue.

“She just wanted to do something different which had never been seen on Strictly before.

“So we thought we would push the boundaries a little bit further.”

Let’s hope his new partner on the tour, Ola Jordan, decides to play it safe.

Whatever the result, Colin is excited to slip back into his sequinned leotard and show off his hip swinging moves.

He admits learning to dance changed his life.

He said: “It made me believe I can still learn to do something quite well.

“Most of the time you don’t believe in yourself but when the magic happens, it’s uplifting.”

Strictly Come Dancing Live. The O2, Greenwich. January 22 and January 23.

Call 0844 856 0202 or visit theo2.co.uk