Strictly: Aston Merrygold ready to tango with Cowell in ratings war

STRICTLY contestant Aston Merrygold has no problem wiping the (dance)floor with The X Factor in the TV ratings war.

Aston, of course, rose to fame on the fifth series of the ITV singing contest in 2008, as a member of boy band JLS.

Asked if he had any reservations about joining its rival show, he said: ‘Not really to be honest. When myself and the boys did The X Factor it was a different show. It’s changed massively since then.’

For the better? ‘For the better for them, whether it’s…’ he pauses before adding, ‘Everyone has their own opinions.’

And the One Shot singer, who is set to become a dad for the first time, said there’s no cha-cha-chance he’ll tune in to catch up with the latest antics of Simon Cowell and co. ‘There is a lot more baby planning than there is recording The X Factor,’ he laughed.

Aston announced earlier this month that girlfriend Sarah Lou Richards is expecting their first child in January.

And the 29-year-old is worried he may hear the pitter patter of tiny feet before his time in the competition is up.

‘If I get to the final, or close, there could be an early surprise,’ he said. ‘Touch wood, it stays on schedule but whenever the baby’s ready we’ll be happy to greet it.’

Aston and dance partner Janette Manrara, 33, will perform a salsa to Luis Fonsi and Justin Bieber’s No.1 hit Despacito on tomorrow’s Strictly on BBC1 at 6.45pm.

Author: Andrei Harmsworth