Strictly Come Dancing co-host Claudia Winkleman has cast her vote for an unlikely dancer in the next series of the show – former minister Lord Mandelson.

Asked to pick a celebrity dancer for the next series of the BBC One show, she plumped for the former Hartlepool Labour MP.

Claudia Winkleman
Claudia Winkleman (Matt Crossick/PA)

He would not be the first politician to battle for the glitterball trophy – Vince Cable, Ann Widdecombe and Edwina Currie have all previously put on their dancing shoes.

But Claudia said she was not getting carried away just yet about the new series.

 Ann Widdecombe rehearsing for Strictly
Ann Widdecombe rehearsing for Strictly (Peter Byrne/PA)

Speaking at the Royal Television Society Awards in central London, she said: “I get very, very excited in July and August.”

The star, who won an RTS award, joked: “It’s all very proper and grown up and nicely dressed and I’m in my pyjamas.”