Harry Redknapp turned down Strictly Come Dancing after ‘hopeless’ one-day trial

HARRY Redknapp has been asked to compete in Strictly Come Dancing – but has turned down the opportunity.

The 72-year-old football manager has been eyed up for the BBC One latin and ballroom dance competition, after he stole the nation’s hearts when he won I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! last year.

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But after having a trial dance session he decided following in his daughter-in-law Louise Redknapp‘s footsteps – who was the runner up to Ore Oduba on the show in 2016 – and competing to win the highly coveted Glitterball trophy is not for him.

Speaking to The Mirror, he said: “The BBC bosses sent over a dancer to put me through my paces for a day, but it’s not for me.”

As much as Jamie Redknapp’s dad loves the programme, he and his wife Sandra have admitted he has two left feet.

He added: “No chance. It’s a great show but I can’t dance to save my life, can I, Sandra?”

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Harry wouldn’t be tempted to slip into lycra, don his dancing shoes and perfect the tango even with the help of his I’m A Celebrity pals Fleur East and Emily Atack, who often practised dance routines in the jungle.

He continued: “Even if [I’m a Celebrity’s] Fleur and Emily gave me some lessons, I’d still be hopeless.”

Harry was crowned King of the Jungle last year, but he has insisted Strictly Come Dancing is not the only show he is ruling out as he has no intention to appear in another reality show again.

He said: “So that’s it for me now with reality shows, thank you.”

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However, Harry did contemplate taking to the dance floor before he signed himself up to live in the Australian outback and undergo Bushtucker trials.

Speaking previously he said: “I told Jamie I was thinking of doing Strictly and I don’t think he was pleased about it.

“And so I was offered the Jungle at the same time and chose to do that.”

Jamie’s reluctance for his dad to sign up to the dance show may be due to the fact that the Strictly curse was largely blamed for the breakdown of his marriage to Louise Redknapp after she appeared in the 2016 series.

The pair split in 2017 after 19 years of marriage, with Louise’s close relationship with her professional dance partner, Kevin Clifton, said to have played a role.