Footie legend Tony Adams is looking forward to his Strictly exposure, joking he might even show off his tackle.
The former England and Arsenal skipper says he’ll do whatever it takes to lift the Glitterball.
And cheeky Tony, 55, fancies copying The Full Monty – the 1997 film about jobless Northerners who become male strippers, in which he was namechecked. So having previously bared his soul over his battle with booze and depression, he jokes he is now willing to bare his body too.
“I’ve written biographies, warts and all – you know everything about me,” he said. “Maybe I could do The Full Monty?
“I’ve gained a bit of weight. I’ve got a bit of muscle in areas I never thought I had, like my right buttock. I’ve still got a six-pack. You seen my 1998 topless England pictures? GQ man of the Year 1998.”
Tony, feared as a defender on the pitch, loved being named in The Full Monty when one of the characters explained how a dance routine they were struggling to learn was similar to the Arsenal off-side trap.
He says his goal is to avoid the boot in Strictly until at least week three, so that all five of his kids can see him in action.
Tony shares Atticus, 18, Hector, 16, and Iris, 12, with second wife Poppy and Oliver, 31, and Amber, 27, with ex-wife Jane.
And the star says he and wife of 18 years Poppy, 49, have no fear of the Strictly “curse” blamed for ending some love matches.
He said: “My wife is comfortable with everything. I think she’s trying to get rid of me, that’s why she pushed me into doing the show. She’s not the slightest bit worried. Luckily enough, when I met Poppy 20 years ago we had a spiritual connection.”
And Poppy has even given Tony’s pro partner Katya Jones tips. Katya, 33, said: “She said he loves a mirror, he’s vain – so as long as I tell him how amazing he’s doing, he’s going to do it.”
