12:00am Saturday 4th October 2008
By Emma Palmer
HE’S already been hailed as a “god” of the dancefloor, now towering heart-throb Mark Foster is hoping a spot of divine inspiration will help him storm through to the next round of Strictly Come Dancing.
The world champion swimmer, who went to school in Southend, is attempting to master the tango, the most difficult routine of them all, for this Saturday’s episode of the prime time BBC series.
But the laid back 38-year-old, who grew up in Billericay and Southend, is not so at home with feigning the aggression, anger and passion which comes with nailing the perfect tango – despite a little encouragement from his dance partner Helen Holt.
“We’ve been practising a lot this week, but I’m finding it quite hard,” admitted Mark.
“It’s because I don’t have an aggressive bone in my body. To try to get me in the right frame of mind Helen has been saying really evil things to me, but it still doesn’t work!
“She’s been whispering, ‘I hate your dogs’ in my ear while I’m dancing, but it just makes me laugh.
“I don’t find it easy to put on an act. I suppose it’s because I’m an athlete, not an actor. But what ever happens I’ll give it my all. I have fallen in love with the show and I really want to make it to the end.”
Mark, who is one of the must successful swimmers in British history, has already struck up friendships with many of his fellow contestants, including GMTV presenter Andrew Castle and supermodel Lisa Snowdon, who is also from Essex.
“Andrew and I have the same sense of humour and we often have a laugh,” he said. “I’m also friendly with Lisa, who I’ve known for many years, and because I am so tall Jodie Kidd has taken a liking to me. She comes to stand by me because she says I make her feel shorter!”
If his last performance is anything to go by, Mark won’t have to suffer much criticism from the show’s panel of judges tomorrow night.
After Mark’s dancing debut, outspoken Italian judge Bruno Tonioli described him as a “god” and the swimmer has already been branded the “housewives’ favourite” due to his honed physique and good looks.
Mark said: “At the end of the day it’s a show and the judges’ comments often make it interesting. If you mess up the routine then you want to hear where you went wrong.
“I don’t have a hard time with criticism, as long as it’s constructive.
“I watched the show when my friends Colin Jackson and Roger Black were competing, but I never thought I’d be stepping into a pair of dance shoes myself.
“I am enjoying everything about the show. Where else would you get to learn all these wonderful dances from a world class professional?”
Mark, who splits his time between Bath and Cambridge, admits a piece of his heart will always belong in his home town of Southend.
He was a pupil at the Alleyn Court Prep School, in Wakering Road, Southend, and Southend High School for Boys. His parents still live in the town.
“I absolutely love Southend. I am looking to buy a place in Thorpe Bay. I love living by the sea, there’s something just really special and relaxing about it.
“My family still live in the area and I have lots of friends there, so I can’t wait to spend more time in the town.”
Mark’s appearance in the Olympic Games in Beijing was his fifth Olympic appearance, having competed in his first aged just 17.
He says he may now retire from competitive swimming, but he’s not making any firm decisions just yet.
“I’ve got 47 medals and I’ve always said I want to get 50, so I may carry on competing. I’d like to do some triathlons next year.
“One the other hand, if it all had to stop tomorrow I’d be pleased with what I’ve achieved during my swimming career.
“I’m sports mad, always have been and always will be. That means swimming, golf and now dancing.”
© Copyright 2001-2010 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.echo-news.co.uk