Ross King says he wants to bring The Slosh and ceilidh dances to Strictly Come Dancing
LA-based Scottish presenter tells BBC Scotland he hopes to incorporate traditional Scottish dances and artists as he takes part in the BBC series
Ross King, the Scottish entertainment presenter and Los Angeles–based broadcaster, said he hopes to bring traditional Scottish dances such as The Slosh and the Gay Gordons to the Strictly Come Dancing floor as he prepares to compete in the BBC series.
King, who regularly appears on ITV programmes including Lorraine and Good Morning Britain, told BBC Scotland News that representing Scotland on the 23rd series of Strictly Come Dancing is "just a thrilling thing" and that he wants to include "some form of a ceilidh which apparently they've never done." He suggested artists including The Proclaimers, Lewis Capaldi, Paolo Nutini, Wet Wet Wet and Simple Minds as potential musical choices for his routines.
King said he has found the Strictly experience "wonderful" but admitted he was surprised by the scale of the show after flying in from Los Angeles. "I had no idea until I flew in from LA just what a juggernaut of a show it is. It's massive and you just don't realise it until you become part of it," he told BBC Scotland. He said he was both "incredibly excited but incredibly terrified" and described the professionals on the programme as "brilliant dancers" and "brilliant teachers."
The presenter said his aim is not victory but personal improvement. "I'm never going to win but if I could be the most improved," he said, adding that his late mother's advice — "you'll never know until you give it a go" and "do your best" — guided his decision to take part. King said he hopes the training will improve his fitness and posture and that he values the chance to learn from world champions.
King, who still considers Glasgow "home," said he is conscious of representing Scotland and does not want to "let anyone down." He recounted returning to his hometown and enjoying local banter, and said he has relied on showbiz friends and former Strictly contestants — including Lorraine Kelly, Joe McFadden and Ranvir Singh — for advice. Their principal recommendation, he said, was to enjoy the process.
He also signalled a readiness to accept criticism from the show's judges. "I'll do the whole thing with the biggest smile on my face and even if the lovely Craig rips me apart, which I'm sure he will do, I'll just take it on the chin and smile," King said, referring to judge Craig Revel Horwood.
King described indulging in Scottish food since returning from LA, naming a "roll and slice" — sliced sausage, mashed potatoes and beans — as a favourite and saying he "really love[s] haggis." He said the experience of Strictly has been "one of the most fun experiences I've had so far" and reiterated that representing his country was a major motivator for taking part.
The new series of Strictly Come Dancing is scheduled to return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday. King told BBC Scotland he is approaching the competition with humility and enjoyment and that, above all, he will try to "do [his] best," as his mother advised.