Sid Owen has revealed he decided to go on Strictly Come Dancing to prove his doubters wrong.

The former EastEnders star, best known for playing Ricky Butcher on the BBC soap, admitted he had considered participating on the dance show for a while, but people always warned him against it.

"I've been toying with the idea for a few years now. Everyone I've spoken to has said, 'Don't be silly, don't do it because you've got two left feet and you can't dance'. My ex-partner told me that too, and whatever she tells me not to do, I want to do," he said.

"I'm really excited and looking forward to it because I've got nothing to lose. Hopefully I will become a dancer by the end of it."

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Sid is ready to throw himself into training and rehearsals.

"I'm going to work hard. I think that's the key so we'll see what happens. I'm doing all right with the steps so far," he added.

He has enjoyed meeting the other celebrities in the competition, including medal-winning Olympians Victoria Pendleton and Louis Smith, as well as Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh, Westlife's Nicky Byrne, cricketer Michael Vaughan and TV presenter Johnny Ball.

Sid said: "Everyone seems really laid-back and having a laugh. It's been great to see the Olympians. Hats off to them for doing this."

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  • Strictly Come Dancing - Red Carpet Launch

    LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Victoria Pendleton attends the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012 at BBC Television Centre on September 11, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)

  • Strictly Come Dancing - Red Carpet Launch

    LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Denise Van Outen attends the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012 at BBC Television Centre on September 11, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)

  • Strictly Come Dancing - Red Carpet Launch

    LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: The professional dancers attend the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012 at BBC Television Centre on September 11, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)

  • Strictly Come Dancing - Red Carpet Launch

    LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Kristina Rihanoff attends the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012 at BBC Television Centre on September 11, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)

  • Strictly Come Dancing - Red Carpet Launch

    LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone attend the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012 at BBC Television Centre on September 11, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)

  • Strictly Come Dancing - Red Carpet Launch

    LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Jerry Hall attends the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012 at BBC Television Centre on September 11, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)

  • Strictly Come Dancing - Red Carpet Launch

    LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Erin Boag attends the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012 at BBC Television Centre on September 11, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)

  • Strictly Come Dancing - Red Carpet Launch

    LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Dani Harmer attends the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012 at BBC Television Centre on September 11, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)

  • Strictly Come Dancing - Red Carpet Launch

    LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Aliona Vilani attends the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012 at BBC Television Centre on September 11, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)

  • Strictly Come Dancing - Red Carpet Launch

    LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Karen Hauer attends the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012 at BBC Television Centre on September 11, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)

  • Strictly Come Dancing - Red Carpet Launch

    LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Ola Jordan attends the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012 at BBC Television Centre on September 11, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)

  • Strictly Come Dancing - Red Carpet Launch

    LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Karen Hauer attends the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012 at BBC Television Centre on September 11, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)

  • Strictly Come Dancing - Red Carpet Launch

    LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Denise Van Outen attends the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012 at BBC Television Centre on September 11, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Kimberley Walsh arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Olympian Victoria Pendleton arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Dani Harmer arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Denise Van Outen arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Tess Daly arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Olympian Victoria Pendleton arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Olympian Victoria Pendleton arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Tess Daly arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Denise Van Outen arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Kimberley Walsh arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Olympian Victoria Pendleton arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Fern Britton arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Denise Van Outen arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Lisa Riley arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Olympian Victoria Pendleton arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Louis Smith arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Denise Van Outen arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Johnny Ball arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Jerry Hall arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Kimberley Walsh arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Victoria Pendleton and Louis Smith arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Tess Daly arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Denise Van Outen arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Olympian Victoria Pendleton arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Kimberley Walsh arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Dani Harmer arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Jerry Hall arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Kimberley Walsh arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Denise Van Outen arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Tess Daly arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Olympian Victoria Pendleton arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Fern Britton arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Colin Salmon arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Sir Bruce Forsyth arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Olympian Louis Smith arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing 2012 launch - London

    Olympian Louis Smith arriving for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012, at BBC TV Centre in west London.

  • Strictly Come Dancing - Red Carpet Launch

    LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Artem Chigvintsev attends the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012 at BBC Television Centre on September 11, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)

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