Krishnan Guru-Murthy described Strictly Come Dancing as a ‘genuinely meaningful experience’ as he pondered on the influence it’s had on his life, adding he is now considerably more open to tears.
During Sunday night’s results show, the Channel 4 News anchor, 53, claimed to co-host Claudia Winkleman that his wife felt he’might not have been happy for 35 years’ – until he took part in the BBC’s flagship reality programme.
In an interview with Janette Manrara on Thursday’s broadcast of It Takes Two, he stated that he was quite serious about what he had shared with the audience.
‘It wasn’t a joke, to be honest. It’s been a genuinely profound experience,’ Krishnan, who is partnered with pro Lauren Oakley, told the presenter.
He then went on to explain the magnitude with which Strictly has changed him as he said it was ‘about realising that you need something that you love in life’.
‘It’s quite easy at my age… You hit middle age and quite a lot of your life is about other people, it’s about work, it’s about your kids, and you don’t necessarily do stuff that you love,’ he said.
‘And to do something that you love suddenly releases a wave of emotion and endorphins.’
He then quipped: ‘I’ve turned into one of those jibbering old men wrecks who suddenly get in touch with their emotions and cry all the time!’
Krishnan and Lauren danced a Paso Doble to By The Way by the Red Hot Chili Peppers on Saturday night, and received 28 points.
After escaping the dance-off, he said that Strictly had been ‘life changing’ for him.
‘My wife – we took the dog for a walk the other day – and she said, “We think you might not have been happy for 35 years and that you’ve just kind of discovered happiness” – and guyliner, obviously,’ he shared.
Reflecting on how it compared to his the challenges of his day-to-day life as a broadcaster and serious news journalist, he added: ‘I think that there might be something in that because there’s something in the balance of great fun and greats seriousness, which is what I do the rest of the time, which allows you to be happy.’
Krishnan has also been serious about his devotion to Strictly, stating that he rejected away the chance to interview U2 about their upcoming Vegas engagement at the £1.8billion Sphere venue.
‘I was asked to go and interview them in Las Vegas last week, but I couldn’t because I was training.’
‘You should have said, “Only if I can take Lauren and train over there”,’ Lauren then quipped.
‘Well, I did actually say, “I would have to take Lauren!” and dance in the Sphere,’ said Krishnan.
‘But it just wasn’t gonna work because it would mean 20 hours on a plane and that’s just too much.’
It Takes Two airs weekdays at 6:30pm on BBC Two. Strictly Come Dancing continues at 6:35pm on Saturday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
