James Cracknell says he has ‘no chance’ of winning Strictly Come Dancing

He may have won two Olympic gold medals but James Cracknell isn’t confident of victory on Strictly.

James is a double Olympic Gold Medallist rower, who won his medals in the 2000 Sydney Games and 2004 Athens Games alongside team mates Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent.

He was confirmed to join the Strictly Come Dancing 2019 line up earlier this month.

On signing up, James said: “I’m really looking forward to being a part of Strictly this year.

“Having spent so many years mucking around in a rowing boat with big men in tight lycra, it’s time I learned a new skill. I need to apologise to my kids in advance for the embarrassment.”

This week James took to Instagram where he revealed he didn’t rate his chances in the competition.

The sportsman, who recently cycled over 400 miles across Alaska, told his followers: “I now have to switch my focus from riding a bike to learning how to dance, and to be honest I’ve got more chance of winning the tour then winning Strictly Come Dancing, but in for a penny.”

James made the comments after sharing how he had been involved in a crash while out on his bike in London.

“I had an altercation with a minicab driver in London. It was nobody’s fault really; bit of a busted finger and road rash on my back but OK,” he explained. “The good thing was there was no street furniture for me to fall into. I was also wearing a helmet and wasn’t listening to music so I could concentrate and was focused on what was ahead.

“That’s the thing to remember with cycling or riding a motorbike or driving around town.”

The full Strictly Come Dancing line up was announced this summer.

Those on the cast include TV legend, former England international goalkeeper David James, stand up comic Chris Ramsey and EastEnders’ star Emma Barton.

More confirmed Strictly Come Dancing 2019 contestants are YouTube vlogger Saffron Barker, Corrie actress Catherine Tyldesley, BBC Sports presenter Mike Bushell and CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual.

Joining them on the Strictly lie up are Viscountess Emma Weymouth, RuPaul Drag Race’s Michelle Visage, Paralympic champion Will Bayley, and footballer and presenter Alex Scott.

Completing the line up are Made In Chelsea’s Jamie Laing and Radio 1 DJ Dev Griffin.

Strictly Come Dancing will start in September on BBC One.