'I have never danced sober in my life': Robbie Savage reveals how Strictly Come Dancing made him take to the floor without a drink

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 1:40 PM on 21st October 2011

It's probably a statement that most men would agree with but Strictly Come Dancing contestant Robbie Savage has revealed he had never danced sober before joining the show.

And the former soccer bad boy also claimed his years of football training were cushier than the regime he has endured to rehearse for the ballroom.

Speaking to Radio 1's Scott Mills, Savage said: 'I'd leave at eight, get there for half nine, have a massage, train for an hour, then have your lunch, a three-course meal because the food's important, then you go home and that's it.

First time for everything: Robbie Savage admitted that he had never danced when sober before starring on this year's Strictly Come Dancing

'I think some footballers take it for granted,' he added. 'When I see some people taking advantage of being a footballer it does really annoy me.'

The former Welsh international and Derby County star said it was strange heading into the studio each Saturday night.

'It's like walking into the best nightclub in the world, six o'clock in the evening, everybody's so smartly dressed,' he said.

Not alcohol related: The footballer described walking into the studio as like walking into the 'best nightclub in the world'

'You walk into the middle of the dance floor and dance sober. I have never danced sober in my life.'

Savage recently took to the pitch to surprise Derby fans when he performed for 20,000 match-goers at half-time at Reading's Madejski Stadium.

He said it was less daunting to appear on the pitch than to be in the studio - and pointed out it was his partner Ola Jordan who ended up making mistakes.

New talent: The blonde-haired sportsman has been competing on the BBC show with professional dancer Ola Jordan

'I'm not lying - dancing in front of 20,000 fans at half time was fine, if that was every Saturday night I'd be fine,' he said.

'It was my comfort zone - as soon as you cross that white line you are on the football pitch. Even dancing.

'But Ola, God love her, she was so nervous she got her steps wrong on the pitch. She's an amazing dancer, I was flying.

'Amazing dancer': Robbie pictured here rehearsing for the live shows speaks very highly of his dance partner Ola

'It just proves when you're out of your comfort zone, the nerves get hold of you, and that's what I'm like on a Saturday night. My legs are physically trembling. I feel sick the whole day. Even in the dress rehearsal.'

The 37-year-old - noted for his repeated bookings - said he had gone some way to change his public perception.

'I've walked down the street in the past and people come up and call me obscenities and are horrible to you. And now it's so different - I've got old ladies coming up to me in the street that don't know football and they're just so nice.'