Strictly Come Dancing’s Robert Webb says nearly dying inspired him to join the show – and now he wants to win

PEEP Show star Robert Webb says he wants to win Strictly Come Dancing after his brush with death due to open heart surgery.

The funnyman was told his heart would fail in less than a year and had to have an emergency op to fix his mitral valve.

And he says that seeing underdog and fellow comic Bill Bailey, 56, win last year with Oti Mabuse has made him determined to triumph.

He said: “I’ve always been a big fan of the show and it’s partly my age and it’s nearly two years ago I had a big deal health thing, I had a prolapsed mitral valve which resulted in open heart surgery.

“Since then my attitude is basically this is no time to be cool, sitting at the edges watching other people dancing and actually if you’ve got something to offer, maybe it’s time to offer it.”

He added: “It would be lovely to win. I think in the first weeks, if I get more than one I’ll just be hanging on for dear life.

“I did enjoy Let’s Dance for Comic Relief, the first performance in that live first heat was the first time I got through the dance from start to finish without just stopping and looking at the choreographer asking what to do next, that’s why I was in all sorts of terror before that screen went up so it won’t be like that this time.

“Firstly we get that little bit longer to rehearse on this and secondly I’ve got a partner so I think that won’t be quite as horrific as I won’t be so badly prepared.

“I don’t pick up moves any quicker or better than anyone else. When I know what I’m doing it’s going to be alright.”

Bill was the rank outsider at the start of last year’s show – but he eventually triumphed beating singer HRVY, Jamie Laing and Maisie Smith.

Robert added: “I’ll be 49 at the end of this month so he’s an inspiration in that way, but the idea you can get through it without permanently injuring yourself is inspiring. I did really enjoy watching Bill and the fact he took it really seriously.”