Strictly's Tom: 'Fred Astaire's my hero' (VIDEO)

Holby City star Tom Chambers has revealed that he has always dreamed of being a dancer.

Tom, who plays registrar Sam Strachan in BBC1's medical drama, admitted that taking part in Strictly Come Dancing will fulfill his life-long dream of becoming a dancing legend, like the late Fred Astaire.

Asked why he agreed to appear in the upcoming sixth series of BBC1's popular pro-celebrity dance contest, Tom said: "I've always wanted to learn how to properly dance. It's not disco dancing, this is totally different ball game."

He added: "It's one of the best shows out there. That, and the fact that I've always wanted to be in Fred Astaire films. And this is maybe one step closer."

The actor once paid homage to his big-screen hero by recreating a routine from the hit 1937 film Damsel in Distress, which involved tap dancing while playing the drums.

Tom also said that Strictly will provide some light relief from his role in Holby, in which his character Sam was diagnosed with cancer last year.

He said: "I'm glad to get my hair back because eight months of shaving my hair off with a Bic razor was a bit much.

"And it's an excuse to get fit because I've been standing around patients beds for three years, so it's nice to get fit again."

Tom is the early favourite to win this series of Strictly Come Dancing with odds of 6/1.

CLICK below to watch Sam's tribute to Fred Astaire