Ed Balls might be at the bottom of the Strictly Come Dancing leader board but he has won favour with the public for his sheer enthusiasm and commitment on the dance floor.
He’s the first male politician to compete for the coveted glitter ball trophy in the main show, but it’s likely he won’t be the last. Here is a look at all the MPs who swapped their suits for sequins.
1. Ed Balls
The former shadow chancellor, 49, has joked that his stint on the popular programme could be down to a midlife crisis, and has also said he could “do with losing half a stone”.
He swore he would never wear sequins but that did not stop him from wearing a bright yellow suit to dress up as Jim Carrey in The Mask for Movie Week.
He might not be the best dancer but he’s certainly giving it some welly.
2. Edwina Currie
Former Conservative MP Currie appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2011 but did not fare so well as she was the first contestant to be eliminated from the competition.
3. Ann Widdecombe
Ann Widdecombe was a contestant in the 2010 series of Strictly Come Dancing, which saw her partnered with professional dancer Anton du Beke.
The former Conservative MP became an unlikely success story for the comedy element in her dance routines and kept her place in the competition until week 10.
4. Vince Cable
Former business secretary Sir Vince Cable took part in the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special in 2010 after previously admitting to having a “serious ambition” to appear on the ballroom dancing programme.
While he did not win, he was awarded an impressive 36 out of 40 points for his fancy footwork with professional dancer Erin Boag.
Who will be joining the Strictly line-up for 2017? You need only roam the corridors of Parliament to find out.
