David James welled up as he discussed his emotional song choice for this week’s Strictly Come Dancing.
The retired footballer is hoping to improve his fortunes on the BBC One show with a quickstep to Hugh Jackman’s From Now On from The Greatest Showman.
Talking about the song, which tackles the importance of family and friendship, on Strictly spin-off It Takes Two, James paused to hold back tears.
He said it reminded him of travelling away from his family when he was playing for teams including Liverpool and Watford.
He told host Rylan Clark-Neal: “I mean that song itself … the lyrics in it are a bit of a metaphor in a way because having spent so much time abroad and especially coming back to England and seeing my family…
“I’m not going to cry. I’m not crying… ah man.
“And to be training to it. It’s only when I have seen the choreography from the movie that I have to slap myself.”
James and his professional partner Nadiya Bychkova narrowly avoided being eliminated last week after ending up in the dance-off with Anneka Rice and Kevin Clifton.
The pair danced an American smooth during Movie Week to Seal’s Kiss From A Rose from Batman Forever.
Clark-Neal quipped: “Caped crusader to this week’s circus creator.”
Bychkova said of their preparation for this Saturday’s show: “It’s a super-quick dance. A lot of steps and a lot of content.
“Frame, shoulders. I want him to have fun. It’s such an amazing song. It’s a fun song. I want him to enjoy every step he is doing.”
Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One on Saturday.