Strictly Come Dancing star Greg Wise has revealed his 'dear lady wife' Emma Thompson convinced him to sign up for the show after insisting he was 'mad' not to take part.
Speaking to MailOnline ahead of the new series, the actor, 55, said he and Emma were originally planning to take their first holiday together in seven years before he was approched by bosses.
Greg added that he is taking part in this year's Strictly in honour of his late sister Clare who was a huge fan of the show before her death in 2016 from cancer.
'She said I'd be mad not to do it!': Strictly's Greg Wise revealed his wife Emma Thompson convinced him to sign up - and even cancelled their HOLIDAY so he could join the lineup
Greg, who married Emma in 1992 after they co-starred in Sense and Sensibility, told MailOnline: 'I told my dear lady wife when they asked me and I said no and she said ''you're mad you've got to do it!''
She's been filming solidly since January and she finishes her last film tomorrow. We were going to have her first holiday together in seven years, but over the five minute conversation the autumn was kicked into the grass and she's thrilled she'll be able to relax and support me.'
Greg also revealed that he has spoken to his pal, and Strictly 2020 winner, Bill Bailey about taking to the dancefloor, after the comic wowed viewers and scooped the glitterball with Oti Mabuse last year.
Candid: Speaking to MailOnline, the actor said he and Emma were originally planning to take a holiday together in seven years before he was approched by bosses
He said: 'When I was first asked to do I contacted him and he said ''you've got to look after your feet'' and I'm interested in working hard and trying something completely new and seeing if this body will do what's asked of it.
'One of the things I've done is get my patent ballroom shoes ready because I think he had quite a problem with blisters, I think it was known as shoegate, I'm trying to get my feet as hard as possible.'
Greg had previously revealed that he decided to sign up for the show as a tribute to his late sister, and the Sense and Sensibility star added that she was a real 'disco diva' who adored the primetime show.
He told MailOnline: 'I was asked and I thought ''no absolutely I can't do it,'' and then I thought about it, and almost exactly five years after my sister died we'll be doing our first routines.
'My sister was a real disco diva she was the dancer in the family and she left this world in a glitterball coffin, so as this world is all glittery I have to go it for her.'
Greg added that he's hoping some of Claire's closest friends can be in the audience for one of the live shows.
Touching: Greg added that he is taking part in this year's Strictly in honour of his late sister Clare who was a huge fan of the show before her death in 2016 from cancer (pictured in 2014)
He added: 'I'm 30 years in as a professional now and I've never even dreamt of trying to get something like this, it's all about living slightly out of your comfort zone, I'm the oldest one here! I've got to try and emulate Mr Bailey from last year.'
While Greg confessed that he has a small amount of dance experience through his role in the Scottish musical Walking On Sunshine, he is more than willing to learn an array of different moves with his new professional partner.
He added: 'I've been doing period films, those austenian line dancing where you walk around holding someone's hand.
'It's uncharted territory, I have no signature dance moves at all. I had to do one on my own, and saying ''give us your moves'' I said I haven't got any.
'It worked out the last time I was in a nightclub in the 1980s in Edinburgh, you don't move your feet. Lord knows what it will look like, whatever happens now will be down to my brilliant teacher.'
Helping hand: Greg also revealed that he has spoken to his pal, and Strictly 2020 winner, Bill Bailey about taking to the dancefloor
Describing his ideal partner, he added: 'Someone who will thrash me, I need bullying, I want to spend as much time as possible rehearsing, the more you come prepared the more opportunity to come to other places.'
Joining Greg in this year's Strictly is rugby star and newly-appointed A Question Of Sport captain Ugo Monye, who revealed he wanted to take part in a show so it was something that his two young daughters could enjoy.
He said: 'When you think about Strictly it is the best show on TV, when they call you should take that call, it's something I've wanted to do for a little while.
'I've got two daughters, Phoenix and Ruby, and they never got to watch me play rugby, my eldest starts school next week and she loves dancing, and I'd love to do it for them.'
The sportsman added that he's already sought advice from 2020 contestant Jamie Laing about taking to the dancefloor.
Screen star: Join Greg in this year's Strictly is rugby star and newly-appointed A Question Of Sport captain Ugo Monye
He told MailOnline: 'He's given me a fair amount of advice, he's told me how tough it's going to be, the amount of hours you spend dancing, but also how much fun you're doing to have.
'My experience of dancing is limited to nightclubs, stag dos and holidays, I'm not sure that's what the judges are looking for on these shows, it is stepping into the unknown it's really weird, it's so exciting.
'I've got friends of mine that are competing on the show, but it's going to be your own journey on this, I'm just really excited about getting involved, that's part of life it's challenging yourself.
'I'm really excited for everything that's coming, I've already
