Melvin Odoom said if he had put more hours in during his time on Strictly Come Dancing, he would have made it further in the series.

Odoom, 37, and his professional dance partner Janette Manrara were axed from the ballroom in the first public vote of last year’s Strictly series.

Strictly Come Dancing 2016 Christmas SpecialMelvin Odoom Celebrating after winning the Strictly Come Dancing 2016 Christmas Special (BBC)

Later in the year, they waltzed to victory when they won the Christmas special after their Charleston scored them a perfect 40 in the one-off festive episode.

Appearing on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, Odoom told presenter Simon Rimmer – who is one of this year’s Strictly celebrities – to “put in the hours”.

Odoom, who hosts KISS FM’s breakfast show, said: “I was in a funny situation and I think everyone was busy on that show. Had I given it more hours, I could have been there a bit longer.”

TV chef Rimmer and his professional partner Karen Clifton will perform the paso doble to Blur’s Song 2 next weekend during the first live Strictly show.