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'Strictly Come Dancing': 'EastEnders' Star Davood Ghadami Isn't Ruling Out Stripping Off To Win Votes

He's also feeling the pressure of living up to fellow soap stars on the show.
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Entertainment Editor, HuffPost UK

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‘EastEnders’ heartthrob Davood Ghadami has refused to rule out getting shirtless on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ in a bid to win.

The actor, who plays Kush Kazemi on the BBC soap, is one of the 15 contestants talking part in the ballroom competition this year, and won’t be afraid of unleashing his toned body to bag votes.

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Davood Ghadami is one of this year's 'Strictly Come Dancing' celebs
BBC

After co-star Jonnie Peacock joked he’s had his top off the whole time during group dance rehearsals, Davood joked: “I don’t put it on! Will I put a shirt on? No. I’m joking!”

Being slightly more serious, he continued: “We’ll see. We’ll see what happens. If it works for the dance you’ll have to see.”

Davood follows in a long line of ‘EastEnders’ stars to take on the challenge of ‘Strictly’, with the likes of Kellie Bright and Jake Wood going far in the competition in recent years.

And it seems he is feeling the expectation that he will match their performances.

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Davood isn't ruling out stripping off on the show
BBC

Speaking to HuffPost UK and other reporters, he said: “You know what? There is a bit of pressure but then ultimately we’re all in it as an individual entity.

“But I think what actors are able to do in this is make it their own - in the character sense, in the story sense.

“I’m hoping whoever I get partnered with will allow me to do the same.”

Asked if Kush’s upcoming heart attack could pave the way for him to make an exit - either temporary or permanent - from the soap, he teased: “We shall see. I don’t want to give too much away. I think that was part of the storyline anyway, as far as I’m aware. You’ll have to see, keep watching.”

Davood also spoke about who he thinks his biggest competition will be, naming Reverend Richard Coles as the dark horse.

“I’m going to say the Reverend - I think he’s brilliant,” he said.

“He’s gone all in with the dancing, he’s not holding back and I might vote for him if I’m allowed!”

‘Strictly Come Dancing’ launches on Saturday (9 September) at 7pm on BBC One, when the celebrities will learn who their professional dance partners are.

'Strictly' Dream Pairings
Mollie King with Pasha Kovalev(01 of16)
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Why? Pasha has plenty of experience in training stellar stars, but in the past two years, he's been paired with less-than-stellar celebs (sorry to Carol Kirkwood and Naga Munchetty).

It's about time he had a decent chance of winning the Glitterball Trophy again, so we're matching him with Mollie King, who is currently second favourite to win. (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Aston Merrygold with Chloe Hewitt(02 of16)
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Why? Chloe was one of the two professionals who didn't have a partner last year, so it's time for her to come off the subs bench.

Meanwhile, at 5'4" (and a bit) Aston isn't exactly the most statuesque celeb, so he'll need a pro who is also on the petite side. (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Ruth Langsford with Gorka Marquez(03 of16)
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Why? Look: We were not happy to see Ruth bottom of the list when it came to the bookies' odds, and we were even less impressed when Eamonn Holmes joked about it on 'This Morning'.

So... How can this be improved? What would a smile on our faces? And, more importantly, Ruth's? Gorka. Marquez.

Or as his series 14 partner Tameka Empson nicknamed him, 'Gorka the Corka'. (We're saying nothing) (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Davood Ghadami and Katya Jones(04 of16)
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Why? Ed Balls was both a blessing and a curse for Katya in the last series. On the one hard, they were never going to win, but on the other: Ed Balls.

His - how shall we say it? - limited dance skills meant we never really got see Katya's full potential, which is why Davood - who just looks like he could be pretty good, to be honest - would be an ideal match. (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Gemma Atkinson with Giovanni Pernice(05 of16)
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Why? Gemma is yet another star with a strong chance of 'Strictly' success and she's already showed off some moves on Instagram.

She's also into keeping fit so will be able to hit the ground running, much like Giovanni's previous partners Georgia May Foote and Laura Whitmore. (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Joe McFadden with Nadiya Bychkova(06 of16)
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Why? Nadiya is one of the three new female pros joining the show this year and while basic maths can tell you that one of them will be left without a partner, we don't think it will be the two-time Latin and ballroom world champion.

And then there's Joe: A TV star who has already built up a strong fanbase thanks to his roles in 'Holby City' and 'Heartbeat'.

We have absolutely no factual basis for this next point but we think he could be the dark horse of the competition (with the right training, of course). Nadiya, it's over to you. (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Simon Rimmer with Janette Manrara(07 of16)
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Why? Janette's best year (in terms of how amazing it was to watch, rather than final standing) came when she was paired with dark horse Jake Wood.

Yes, a TV star, lacking in the hair department, who claimed he wouldn't be all that great.

Sound familiar, Simon? (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Chizzy Akudolu and Kevin Clifton(08 of16)
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Why? While the lovable Kevin managed to bring out Louise Redknapp's fun and silly side last year, it's fair to say it took a while for the pair to settle in and have a good laugh.

What he needs this year, is a laugh-a-minute time during rehearsals and someone who isn't afraid of a joke or two mid-routine. And who could be better for that than Chizzy? (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Jonnie Peacock and Oti Mabuse(09 of16)
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Why? OTI WAS ROBBED LAST YEAR. Never mind Danny Mac, she deserved to win. Hm? We need to let it go? Never.

Anyway, Oti needs to win. Her competitive side and ambitious nature will need someone seriously great so... Who here is an experienced winner? Perhaps there's... oh, we don't know... a medalist? Maybe a Paralympian who has scooped gold on multiple occasions? It's a match made in 'Strictly' heaven. #JusticeForOti (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Debbie McGee and Brendan Cole(10 of16)
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Why? We're surprised it's taken this long for BBC bosses to sign up Debbie, and now that's she's getting her dancing shoes on she deserves the full, 'Strictly' experience with one of the programme's most well-known and longest-serving names. (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Charlotte Hawkins and Neil Jones(11 of16)
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Why? Neil - Katya's husband and pro partner - was left on the sidelines last year, so we'd like to see what he's made off in 2017.

This does mean one of the former pros would have to take a backseat, but we'll get to that later.

And while we see Charlotte on 'Good Morning Britain' everyday, being forced to sit in Piers Morgan's shadow doesn't often give her enough time to shine, so why not have them help each other? (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Brian Conley with Karen Clifton(12 of16)
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Why? Karen has a history of bringing out the best in celebs who are barely above average to start with. (Exhibit A: Mark Wright who went on to come fourth in series 14 after achieving a middle-of-the-road 24 points in his first ever episode.)

Brian would be one of her biggest challenges yet (sorry Bri, if you're reading this) but we reckon she could make a dancer out of him yet. (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Alexandra Burke with Aljaž Skorjanec.(13 of16)
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Why? With her West End experience and 'X Factor' dance training, Alexandra will need someone who is willing to set serious challenges, while having a giggle along the way, ok.com?

Also, Aljaž hasn't tutored a winner since his very first series in 2013 and we think he has what it takes to become the first male pro to triumph twice. (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Reverend Richard Coles with Dianne Buswell(14 of16)
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Why? It's not easy picking partners for the new dancers, but we think fiery Dianne - who has experience of working on stage shows including 'Rock Of Ages' - would be a strong choice for this wildcard booking, The Communards musician-turned-man of the cloth Richard. (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Susan Calman and AJ Pritchard(15 of16)
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Why? Well, aside from the fact there are only two choices left for Susan, AJ is a little on the titchy side, making him the ideal height for her.

Also - and we do, genuinely, hate to say this - she may leave the competition at an early stage, which would mean superstar choreographer AJ could help out when the other pair's dances get more complex in the later stages (It's totally normal for this to happen when the couples start having more people on the dancefloor during their routines).

Which leaves... (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Anton du Beke and Amy Dowden without partners(16 of16)
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Why? Ok, hear us out on this one. Obviously, Amy is new so it makes perfect sense for her to dip her toe by working as choreographer, taking part in the group dances and appearing on 'It Takes Two'.

Anton is at the other end of his 'Strictly' career and made no secret of this fact he would have loved Len Goodman's judging panel role - which is why we think it's time he was offered a new job on the show, perhaps as a permanent 'It Takes Two' expert or lead choreography role. (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
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