Katya: 'I'm getting more competitive'

Professional dancer Katya Virshilas has said that she feels more competitive now she has reached the final nine on Strictly Come Dancing.

The Lithuanian-born star, who partners former cricketer Phil Tufnell, said that she wants to prove herself to viewers as it is her first year on the BBC One show.

"I didn't think that we would get this far, but the fans are keeping us in, and now it's down to the top nine I'm starting to get a little bit more competitive," she told It Takes Two.

"I want to prove to everybody that I can do a really good job."

Tufnell joked: "You deserve to stay in because anyone who can look after me for two and a half months deserves a medal."

Responding to judge Len Goodman's criticism that the pair are not training enough, the sports star said: "It's very difficult, because on Monday I was up in Manchester doing my proper job on Question Of Sport, then on Tuesday I was busy in the morning - so it does get very difficult."

Virshilas added: "You must remember his [injured] knee as well. He's not Jade, he's not an Olympic athlete. He can't do eight and a half hours. We can be there for 45 hours, but if it's not going to quality, what's the point?"

Tufnell and Virshilas will perform a rumba on this Saturday's show, which airs at 6.25pm on BBC One.