Kiss FM presenter Jordan Banjo was the first celebrity to be unmasked on The Masked Dancer last night and says he never would have considered doing the show if it wasn’t for his brother Ashley.
The Diversity dancer writhed around on stage dressed as a giant snake showing off some serious moves that made British dance troupe Diversity famous.
However, speaking to the Mirror, Jordan revealed he was incredibly nervous about going on the show despite dancing for more than 12 years with the super successful dance troupe.
“Dancing is the only thing I get scared about, ever,” confessed Jordan.
“I start sweating and I get really scared about it so leading on a performance on TV, there was not a chance chance.
(Image: ITV)
Revealing it was his brother who finally got him up on the stage, the star continued: “It was Ash who convinced me to do it. I told him I couldn’t and he told me to stop being an idiot and that I was going to have fun.”
And judging by the radio host’s huge grin on the show when his identity was finally revealed it looks like Jordan certainly achieved his goal.
Speaking about the challenges the country’s faced over the past year, he said: “Everyone’s just looking for an excuse to have a laugh and do something a bit different.
“When you look at it [the show] from the fun side, it’s a real laugh.
“I had a wicked time on there. It was a blast.”
(Image: ITV)
Regarding the secrecy surrounding the smash-hit programme, which is the follow-up to the Masked Singer, Jordan revealed only three people knew he was behind the mask, one of whom was his ” super proud” mum, who is also his manager.
“You have to tell some people,” he explained. “My mum knew and I was more worried about her telling the secret.”
Jordan’s finance Naomi was also in on the act, but was rather alarmed when a visor and balaclava, provided by the show to disguise Jordan’s identity turned up at the couple’s home.
“When you’re walking around on set you have to wear a hoody that says ‘Don’t speak to me’ as well as a balaclava and visor – no crew knows who you are,” explained the dancer. “I think Nay wondered what I was planning on doing when she opened the package,” he joked.
(Image: ITV)
Ashley, who was in on the secret from the beginning said to his younger brother: “Well done Jord, I’m proud”.
One person who didn’t know about Jordan’s secret was his radio co-host and Diversity colleague Perri Kiley.
“I was always disappearing but luckily I was filming a few other things at the same time, so could blame that stuff so he didn’t twig, but yesterday when found out – gosh, the phone calls!
“He said: ‘Don’t ever lie to me again'”, to which Jordan joked “are we married?”
Speaking of marriage, Jordan has revealed that he’ll tie the knot with his fiancée Naomi next summer.
The lovebirds were due to walk down the aisle and say their ‘I do’s’ this year, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, they have been forced to postpone their special day.
Although the 28-year-old Diversity dancer was left utterly disappointed, he’s very much looking forward to finally putting a ring on Naomi’s finger following their whirlwind engagement a couple of months ago.
Jordan, who’s a proud dad to children Cassius and Mimi, is also beyond excited to include his little ones in the wedding ceremony.
The dancer’s tots have already been given the jobs of flower girl and page boy, and the Britain’s Got Talent star is eagerly awaiting their performances on the big day.
Originally from https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/ashley-banjo-convinced-younger-brother-24214732