Reality TV
Audley Harrison: 'Strictly Come Dancing positivity beating X Factor'
Published Friday, Nov 11 2011, 18:34 GMT | By Alex Fletcher | Add comment
Audley Harrison has claimed the "positivity" of Strictly Come Dancing is helping its ratings battle with The X Factor.
Strictly has edged closer to the Simon Cowell talent show this year and actually
beat it in the overnight ratings with its Halloween theme weekend.
Boxer Harrison, who is dancing a cha cha cha this Saturday, claimed that the show's decision to celebrate talent rather than humiliate is the secret to its success.
"No other show captures the imagination of the public like this," he said.
"It's just all positive. It's not humiliating the contestants in any way, we may do it ourselves with the dance moves, but it's positive and all good stuff.
"That's why the media and public are getting behind it and supporting it more. There's nothing negative to it. There's no getting down on people, it's all celebration."
Harrison and his pro partner Natalie Lowe have managed to avoid elimination thanks to the public vote and the sports star said that the response from viewers had surprised him.
"They've kept us in three times now and coming off my David Haye fight last year, it's been great for the British public to see my personality and character," he said.
"I'm really happy that I made the choice to do the show so people can see the real me.
"I am quite competitive. I want to go out there and dance to my potential. I haven't always done it in my boxing career. I'm just grateful that I've been able to go out there and perform because I haven't had the chance to box this year."
After losing a stone in weight training for Strictly, Harrison added that he is ready for one last attempt to improve his professional boxing record.
"I want to give it one more shot. It could be over, but I'm just going to go back and give it one more go. I want to see if the David Haye fight was an aberration and whether I've still got a future," he said.
"I'll apply myself, go to training camp. If I lose it's over, but whether I win, lose or draw, I want to walk away happy that I gave everything in the fight."
Strictly airs on Saturday at 6.55pm on BBC One.
> Jason Donovan: 'Frankie Cocozza exit has been tough on Gary Barlow'
Strictly has edged closer to the Simon Cowell talent show this year and actually
beat it in the overnight ratings with its Halloween theme weekend.
© BBC
Boxer Harrison, who is dancing a cha cha cha this Saturday, claimed that the show's decision to celebrate talent rather than humiliate is the secret to its success.
"No other show captures the imagination of the public like this," he said.
"It's just all positive. It's not humiliating the contestants in any way, we may do it ourselves with the dance moves, but it's positive and all good stuff.
"That's why the media and public are getting behind it and supporting it more. There's nothing negative to it. There's no getting down on people, it's all celebration."
Harrison and his pro partner Natalie Lowe have managed to avoid elimination thanks to the public vote and the sports star said that the response from viewers had surprised him.
"They've kept us in three times now and coming off my David Haye fight last year, it's been great for the British public to see my personality and character," he said.
"I'm really happy that I made the choice to do the show so people can see the real me.
"I am quite competitive. I want to go out there and dance to my potential. I haven't always done it in my boxing career. I'm just grateful that I've been able to go out there and perform because I haven't had the chance to box this year."
© BBC
After losing a stone in weight training for Strictly, Harrison added that he is ready for one last attempt to improve his professional boxing record.
"I want to give it one more shot. It could be over, but I'm just going to go back and give it one more go. I want to see if the David Haye fight was an aberration and whether I've still got a future," he said.
"I'll apply myself, go to training camp. If I lose it's over, but whether I win, lose or draw, I want to walk away happy that I gave everything in the fight."
Strictly airs on Saturday at 6.55pm on BBC One.
> Jason Donovan: 'Frankie Cocozza exit has been tough on Gary Barlow'
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