Strictly Come Dancing star Ed Balls has said he is “not sure” about a touted return to politics as he revealed he would like take part in more reality television.
The former shadow chancellor’s appearances on the hit BBC show saw him win a legion of fans with his snake hips and pony dancing before finally being voted out last weekend.
Appearing on Loose Women on Wednesday, the ex-Labour MP said: “I’m not sure if I wanted to be an MP again I would have spent last weekend doing all that Zoolander stuff.
“That might have been foolish. I think I’ve had a fabulous time and really enjoyed it.”
Ed, who lost his Morley and Outwood seat in one of the greatest shocks of the 2015 election, has been backed to return as an MP and become Labour leader since his appearances on Strictly.
Bookmaker Coral offered odds of 3-1 on him returning to politics and 33-1 on him succeeding Jeremy Corbyn.
However the 49-year-old warned of the dangers of celebrities entering politics, citing US President-elect and former Apprentice boss Donald Trump.
“The reality TV entertainment is a wonderful thing, and I’ve loved it and I’d like to do some more of it but if you are being the president or the prime minister it’s not simply about flamboyance and risk and surprise.
“It’s also about people’s lives and big decisions and my worry is that Donald Trump is going to think he can be a reality TV president and that could be catastrophic.
“I know that it’s just a different thing. Politics is important and purposeful – this is fabulous and fun but they are not the same thing and if you get them mixed up then I think you kid yourself and could be very dangerous so I’m not going to be foolish like that.”
Asked by the hosts of Loose Women how he had adapted to becoming a sex symbol, Ed said: “I don’t think I’ve taken that on board at all.”
However he will not be hanging up his dancing shoes just yet – Ed will be taking part in the Strictly live tour which kicks off in Birmingham on January 20.
