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Strictly Come Dancing's Ed Balls challenges Alan Sugar to a dance-off: 'I'll raise you a Dirty Dancing lift'

Deputy Online Editor
November 3, 2016

He is currently one of the stars competing on Strictly Come Dancing this year, but it seems Ed Balls would like to challenge someone else. The former Shadow Chancellor has dared The Apprentice's Lord Alan Sugar to a "dance-off" after he was mocked for his performance on Twitter.

Last month, Lord Sugar publicly chastised the politician-turned-TV star, telling his followers, "How the hell can Ed Balls still be voted in by the public."

Taking it lightly, Ed quipped: "Hey @Lord_Sugar, my offer for us to do a dance-off together still stands - you choose the dance - are you up for it? (No lifts!)"

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© Photo: Getty Images

Strictly Come Dancing's Ed Balls has challenged Alan Sugar to a dance-off

The "no lifts" was in reference to his disastrous attempt to lift his dancing partner Katya Jones during one of the recent live shows, but viewers nearly saw him drop the Russian beauty on the dancefloor.

"Ed I can't dance and mate neither can you," Lord Sugar later replied this week. "There is no point diverting the fact you have as much rhythm as a 3 leg horse by challenging me."

Ed, 49, continued to poke jibes, saying: "So you're running scared @Lord_Sugar - all mouth and no Quick Step? I bet I can do a better Cha Cha-style 'New York' than you...." [sic]

© Photo: Getty Images

Last month, Lord Sugar publicly chastised the politician-turned-TV star

Lord Sugar, 69, then hit back with a hilarious photoshopped picture of the pair on the infamous ballroom dancefloor.

"Hey @Lord_Sugar - I'll match your Dance-Off and raise you a Dirty Dancing lift.. You on? Any night on @bbcstrictly #ItTakesTwo," Ed cheekily suggested, while his wife Yvette Cooper teased: "I fear this will end in tears."

Earlier this week, the Strictly contestant spoke about his journey so far in the competition, and also surprised GMB viewers by giving host Susanna Reid a lift. Ahead of his interview, Ed whisked Susanna up in the air into a familiar hold before he spun her around.

With feet back on the ground, Susanna said: "I'm still dizzy! I'm very impressed you managed to lift me!" To which, Ed replied: "It was when you said 'spin me, spin me...' Once we started I didn't know how to stop!"

Talking about his time on Strictly, and what happened during the lift that didn't go to plan, Ed explained: "It worked every time in rehearsal, it was really solid, and that hold, for whatever reason, we don't know how, [but] her foot went and pivoted and everyone was worried about me dropping [her] but actually she was totally secure... And I still did the turn, thinking I've got to come out of this to go into the next move!"

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