Richard Dunwoody teaches Strictly Come Dancing partner Lilia to ride

Richard Dunwoody turned the tables on his Strictly Come Dancing partner Lilia Kopylova this week, by taking her riding.

The former three-times champion jockey is one of 16 celebrities learning to dance on the popular BBC One series.

On Tuesday Richard took Lilia for a canter on the turf at Wimbledon Village Stables. And the professional Russian dancer took to riding like a natural.

“Her balance was good, she was getting the rising trot and really loving it,” said Liz Ampairee, Richard Dunwoody’s spokesman.

“She wants to learn to ride — and would have been cantering if the BBC let her!”

As well as teaching Lilia to ride, Richard had to gallop his chestnut horse for the cameras — for a show to be broadcast this weekend.

“He’s practising every hour of the day,” said Liz. “He’s found it very hard — but Richard being Richard he’s put everything into it.”

The 45-year-old former jockey will perform the waltz on Friday’s Strictly Come Dancing and the cha cha cha on Saturday.

In an interview with Racing Post TV, he said: “With horseracing, there’s no absolutely correct way — you can’t say that Tony McCoy is doing it right, or Ruby Walsh is doing it right. Whereas with dancing, you have to get it absolutely right — and it’s tough.”

He admitted to waking up in the night and going through his steps. And despite his dedication, Richard is still a rank outsider with the bookies.

“The racing and the horse industry must vote for him on Strictly Come Dancing,” added Liz. “He really is getting better.”

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