Strictly contestant and Olympic jumper Greg Rutherford has said he is struggling with the idea of “not being good” at a physical sport as the competition heightens.

He said that, while the BBC One dance contest is a “really fun project”, he has found the particular type of exercise tough.

The Team GB athlete, 29, told us: “Strictly training has been a massive surprise.

If it's too tough for this guy...
If it’s too tough for this guy… (Owen Humphreys/PA)

“It’s very difficult for me to not be good at something that’s physical, because normally when I try a sport I can progress quite quickly with it.

“This one is so hard, I can’t even explain. Long, long hours, much longer than what I do for track, but very different.

“Track tires me out because there’s so much impact. Dancing is just constant, that’s the problem. But it’s a really fun project and I’m enjoying it.”

His comments came as he attended the NFL (National Football League) VIP launch party in central London on Thursday night, in a rare night off from his dance training.

Just two days before performing in the next round of Strictly, which kicks off at 6.35pm on Saturday, he said: “Most of them (the other contestants) worry me, to be totally honest.

“One thing I can accept is when I’m not good at something, and I’m not a good dancer.

“I have strength on my side so I’ve been able to hide behind lifts a little bit, but Danny (Mac), Ore (Oduba), Louise (Redknapp), so many of them are fantastic dancers.

“I’m just chuffed I didn’t go out in the first week, if I’m honest.”

A little different from his usual training.
A little different from his usual training (Guy Levy/BBC/PA)

He added that the competition had seen him take a temporary step out from his favourite hobbies, including American football.

Pleased to have the time to attend Thursday night’s event, he added: “I’ve been so out of the loop because I’ve been so busy with the dancing.

“This is a real rarity for me just to come out and do something rather than dancing, so I’m really behind on NFL this season, which is a massive shame.

“But it’s something that I love and as and when the dancing stops, there’ll still be some of the football season left.”