Strictly Come Dancing's Ross King reveals what his late father would think of his pro partner Jowita Przytal
Natasha Rigler | 5:37pm Mon 22 Sep | Updated 5:43pm Mon 22 SepRoss King has given his first joint TV interview with his Strictly Come Dancing partner Jowita Przytal – and revealed what his late father would think of her.
The Hollywood reporter, 63, made his Strictly debut during Saturday’s launch show and was seen meeting Jowita for the first time.
Ross and Jowita are now in the rehearsal room preparing for their Week 1 performance. But before they got down to work, the duo appeared on ITV’s Lorraine to chat about the beginning of their Strictly journey.
Ross, who works for the morning chat show, told his colleague Lorraine Kelly just how much he has warmed to Jowita, 31. With his dance partner sitting beside him, Ross said: “She was the first pro dancer I met. She came up, she gave me a big hug. She was so lovely.”
Turning to Lorraine, he added: “You knew my dad. My dad would always say, ‘You really knew a person by how they treat the waiter’. And this young lady is just an absolute joy. She’s beautiful inside and out. My dad would be so happy.”
How does Jowita feel about Ross?
It seems the feeling between Ross and Jowita is mutual. The professional dancer, who hails from Poland, even called Ross her “king”.
Jowita told Lorraine: “He’s my diamond, he’s my king. I do need to polish the diamond. But what I have and appreciate the most is the effort. Ross is giving me 100 per cent every day. He’s trying and doing his best. We laugh a lot. I think we laugh even more than we dance.”
Ross revealed in Saturday night’s Strictly Come Dancing launch show that he has the highest odds to be eliminated from BBC competition first. But Ross isn’t fazed.
“My little sister say, ‘Just run your on race’,” Ross added to Lorraine. “I don’t think we are very competitive. We are in it, not to win it – because we aren’t going to win it – but it’s just trying to get better at something.”
Both Lorraine and Jowita were quick to rubbish Ross’s claims that they will not win Strictly Come Dancing 2025.
Ross and Jowita: What dance are they doing?
This weekend will see the brand new 15 celebrities dance in their pairs for the first time. Ross and Jowita will be doing a Cha Cha Cha. And their choice on music is a nod to Ross’s life in Hollywood. They will be dancing to California Gurls by Katy Perry (featuring Snoop Dog).
During their appearance on Monday morning’s Lorraine (September 22), Jowita admitted it will be tough. She said: “We still have a week! But the Cha Cha is really hard.”
Ross added that his feet are currently bearing up and that he is using a foot spa to keep them in tip-top condition. He added: “Jowita’s not putting the pressure on.”
What is Ross King’s real name?
TV fans know Ross King as exactly that. But Ross isn’t actually his first name. He was born in Glasgow in 1962 and given the birth name, Derek Ross King.
In 2018, Ross was forced to address his moniker situation after he made the New Year Honours List. The Scots-born star was awarded an MBE for services to broadcasting, the arts and charity. His full name was revealed as he accepted the award from Queen Elizabeth II.
Ross later told Lorraine viewers he goes by his middle name as “Derek” is what his parents would call him when he was ‘in trouble’.
When is Strictly Come Dancing on next?
Strictly Come Dancing will be back on BBC One and BBC iPlayer this weekend. The first live show airs at 6.55pm on Saturday September 27, 2025. And it’s a biggie!
Ross and the 14 other celebrities competing this year will all be taking to the ballroom with their partners. This means the show will run for 2 hours and 30 minutes.
There is no public vote in Week 1. The judges – Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood – will be giving them scores out of 10. The marks will be carried over to Week 2 and added to the first public vote.
This means the first Strictly: The Results show will air on Sunday September 28, 2025.
