Entertainment
Strictly Come Dancing star Hamza Yassin insists he feels absolutely ‘no pressure’ despite being top of leaderboard-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro
Hamza is as cool as a cucumber.
Hamza is taking each week as it comes (Picture: PA/BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing star Hamza Yassin floored the judges with his debut performance, but the wildlife cameraman has said he is not feeling the pressure.
The Countryfile presenter is paired with professional dancer Jowita Przystał in the juggernaut BBC series, with the two performing the Foxtrot in the first week.
After gliding across the ballroom floor to Islands In The Stream by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas awarded the pair 34 out of a maximum of 40 points.
They soared straight to the top of the leaderboard, in joint first place with Will Mellor and Nancy Xu, who performed the Jive to Livin’ La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin.
Despite an impeccable start, Hamza told Metro.co.uk he was not feeling the weight of expectation ahead of the second week.
He explained: ‘No, I’m feeling no pressure. We’re taking one week as it comes really. Each week is our final week as such and we’re kind of aiming for it to be just as good as last week, but we don’t have the pressure of being on top of the leaderboard or anything along those lines, which is kind of a good thing.’
However, Jowita did reveal rehearsals were ‘tougher’ this week because the Jive is a ‘really fast dance’, with a very different tempo.
Hamza and Jowita have already impressed the judges (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
She added: ‘We struggled a little bit with just keeping up with the music and also there’s a lot of technique in the Jive: there’s a swing action, the pumping action and to combine everything, plus the performance is a lot.
‘But we worked really hard and I think we’re in a really good place. Hopefully, everything’s gonna go well tomorrow, because we have some tricks as well in our routine.’
Hamza likes to mess around with the Strictly crew’s kit (Picture: BBC)
Hamza also cheekily revealed, given his background in TV production, that he couldn’t resist correcting the Strictly camera crew from time to time.
Joking he ‘constantly’ wanted to get involved with the filming, Hamza said: ‘To be honest, I’m just in awe of all their kit. I’m constantly harassing the guys in the studio to see what they’re getting up to.
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‘A lot of it is new equipment to me because I’m a wildlife dude and we use different kit, so I’m kind of intrigued and I’m tinkering around so when they’re having their cups of coffees I’m playing around with their lenses and stuff.
‘But it’s a good thing because it takes my mind off the dance for a little bit!’
Strictly Come Dancing returns tonight at 6.30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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