BBC Strictly Come Dancing star Hamza Yassin opens up on 20lb weight loss from dance training

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Strictly Come Dancing star Hamza Yassin has taken the dancefloor by storm after his almost perfect score on Saturday night. Appearing on Good Morning Britain, Hamza chatted all things Strictly to hosts Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley, including his impressive weight loss as a result of training.

Noticing the difference in Yamza, Richard asked him: "Is it an optical illusion or is there a lot less of you than there was when you started?

I'm gonna ask you, you've lost weight haven't you?" Yamza responded: "Yes I have, I've lost eight and a half kilos." Impressed, Richard quipped: "Woah, that's nearly 20lbs." The wildlife enthusiast told Susanna and Richard that he's training a gruelling nine hours a day to ensure his routines are perfect ahead of the live shows.The 32-year-old added: "It's hard on the body, the knees and legs are hurting."The Animal Park star has been paired with professional dancer Jowita Przystał and the two have quickly become fan favourites to take home the Glitterball Trophy.The presenter explained how he has to try and get to the professionals' standards in a matter of days for the live shows whereas they have been dancing for more than a decade.

He added: "These guys [the pros] have been doing it for 12-15 years and we have to come to their standards in four days."We are never going to get to their standards, but we still have to learn the basics and do a show and perform and deliver it on a Saturday."It's kind of crazy, but I'm absolutely enjoying it."Hamza admitted training does get tough at times and he often starts to get worn out come 3pm.The broadcaster also opened up about how Jowita has to "pull out all the stops" to get his energy back up when he starts flagging on a daily basis during