My wife has no worries about Strictly curse, I’m old enough to be the dancers’ father, says Krishnan Guru-Murthy
THE spectre of the “Strictly curse” still looms – but Krishnan Guru-Murthy’s wife is all for him taking part in the show.
Supportive Lisa actively encouraged the Channel 4 News host to sign up and has no fears for the future of her marriage.
And at 53, falling for a co-star is not something Krishnan is contemplating.
Rubbishing the rumoured jinx – which has seen previous contestants hook up with their dance partners – he says with a laugh: “She’s really relaxed and not at all worried. It’s all nonsense, especially for people at my end of the age spectrum.
“I’m not really across the gossip of Strictly years gone past, but I honestly don’t think the curse is something anyone needs to worry about when it comes to me.
“I’m very happily married and old enough to be the father of most of the dancers.”
His wife, plus his daughter, can’t wait to see his fancy footwork, but not everybody in his family is quite so enthused.
Krishnan admits his teenage son is still mortified by the prospect of seeing dad dancing on the telly – so much so, he doubts whether he will ever watch him perform.
The journalist explains: “He’s asking me about it lots, and he’s keen to see the pictures and videos.
“He’s in a band and playing on the nights of the first two shows, so he wouldn’t be able to watch anyway.
“But he’s not showing any great enthusiasm to come at the moment.”
So why has Krishnan decided to waltz into light entertainment?
He explains: “Traditionally I’ve always thought Strictly is one of the last things I’d ever do.
“But this year I just felt differently about it and said, ‘You know what? I think I want to do this now. It feels like the right time’.
“I’ve been at Channel 4 News for 25 years and that feels like quite a milestone, and you think the audience has kind of grown up with me, from Newsround to now, so they know who I am.
“In the past I worried about how people would see me and think, ‘What is this idiot doing?’. But now I’m not.”
Krishnan has a heart condition, but is confident it won’t see him depart the show early like Peep Show comedian Robert Webb, 50, who was forced to quit the 2021 series due to ill health – two years after open heart surgery.
Krishnan adds: “I have to listen to my body. I just have to pause and relax when I need to rest.
“The routines are between 90 seconds to two minutes long, so it’s not too bad.
“My doctor said it would be good to do some exercise, lose weight and do something you enjoy – and told me I shouldn’t worry about my condition.
“My dad’s a doctor and he’s got the same condition as me, and he’s 90 this year and still working.”