Merson finished near the bottom of the opening episode last week(Image: (Image: BBC))

Football fans will love what Paul Merson keeps doing behind the scenes at Strictly Come Dancing

Rumours are emerging out of the BBC's dance show about what Merson gets up to - and footie fans will definetely relate to his antics

by · The Mirror

What do you imagine the pre-show atmosphere is like in the Strictly Come Dancing dressing room?

A throng of excited chatter and shimmering sequences, the tip-tapping of dancing shoes as dolled-up celebs go over their foxtrots and waltzes for the last time, while the sound of the band's final rehearsal echoes off the walls.

Perhaps - but one detail that has emerged about one celeb's pre-show routine casts something of a doubt on any suggestion of glamour.

Thats because, rumour has it, Arsenal legend and Strictly contestant Paul Merson apparently spends all his free time glued to his phone following the football.

While the other contestants fine-tune their dance moves and engage in last-minute stretches, Merson's focus is reportedly split between the samba steps and the Saturday scores, according to the Daily Mail.

Merson, who is a Chelsea fan despite playing for their North London rivals, is a well-known football obsessive, and so it should come as no surprise that even in the midst of all the glitter balls and spray tans, he's keen to be right on top of Saturday's fixtures.

Maybe Merse should spend less time checking his phone and more time rehearsing, it seems, after the Sky pundit received a terrible score of just 15/40 for his bizarre BBQ themed Salsa.

Merson will be hoping to do better next week after leaving judges and fans unimpressed( Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)

Along with partner Karen Hauer, the 21-times capped England man boogied away to Pitbull's 'Fireball', while tending to a prop BBQ, and the judges were deeply unimpressed.

Judge Craig Revel Horwood remarked that Merson’s feet were “glued to the floor,” adding that his partner, Hauer, seemed to just “dance around” him.

When he's not boogying the night away, Merson is one of Sky's most entertaining pundits( Image: Getty Images)

Unless he can improve, Merson seems likely to be the latest in a string of ex-Arsenal players whose moves leave lots be desired on our screens.

Tony Adams had a torrid time on the show, leaving viewers in stitches with his corny moves and lack of timing. And who can forget David Seaman's time on Dancing on Ice, with the legendary shot-stopper having to swap partners due to accientally dropping skater Pam O'connor and splitting her face open.