Former Strictly Come Dancing star Mark Foster has backed new show judge Alesha Dixon.

He told The Mirror: “Alesha struggled to find her feet – and she got a slating. But just like the contestants, she is getting better and better.

“Last week she was saying a lot more. She brings a freshness and charisma to the judging panel.”

Foster also added that he doesn’t think idea to replace Arlene Phillips with Alesha was based on ageism.

Foster insisted: “It has nothing to do with ageism, but I think the show needed a shake-up. She’ll be great.”

Unsurprisingly, Mark Foster was voted off Strictly Come Dancing last night. I doubt even he was surprised!

The swimmer ended up in the bottom two with GMTV presenter, Andrew Castle but his Paso Doble routine was described as a “painful shambles” and scored just 16 points out of 40.

Judge Bruno Tonioli said to Foster: “You look like a god, but you dance like a geek.”

On being eliminated Mark apologised to his dance partner Hayley Holt saying:

“I’ve had the best time – sorry I let you down,” he added.

Strictly Come Dancing competitor, Mark Foster is to take acting lessons to help improve his next performance on the show.

Mark, who is better known for his swimming than his dancing, was told by the judges last week that he needed to work on his acting skills after a rather wooden performance. He has decided to go ahead and see an acting coach in a bid to lengthen his stay on the show.

“I think the acting coach will be a great idea,” Foster confirmed on spinoff programme It Takes Two. “I mean, in the swimming pool I’m very, very confident – it’s what I train to do. Whereas on the dancefloor I’m getting more confident, but it needs to be a lot quicker – we haven’t got time to play around.

“I’m learning that it’s just as much about the act as it is about the dance as well, so I need both aspects. Rather than thinking ‘every foot right’, I need to now act it as well.”

Strictly continues at 5.50pm on Saturday on BBC One.

Strictly Come Dancing host, Tess Daly, has tipped top swimmer Mark Foster and former S Club 7 singer Rachel Stevens, as the hotties from this years series.

“My tip for this year’s heartthrob is swimmer Mark Foster,” Daly told The Mirror. “I predict he’ll be the Mark Ramprakash of the series and the ladies are going to love him.”

She added:

“The women are really sexy this year,” she said. “Rachel is going to look great in all those Lycra costumes and we have a few long-legged lovelies such as Jodie Kidd, Lisa Snowdon and Heather Small. In fact, all the girls are in amazing shape – although they’re already complaining of blisters and aching limbs!”

Mark Foster (Strictly Come Dancing partner is Hayley Holt)

Mark is arguably the most successful swimmer Britain has ever produced. Six times a world champion, he has broken eight world records and won 10 European Champion medals and two Commonwealth Champion medals. He recently competed in his fifth Olympic games.

Mark likes to be vocal about issues he feels strongly about and warns the Strictly Come Dancing judges to watch out.

Mark says: “I’m sure I’ll enjoy some good natured banter with them. I was an avid viewer when my friend Colin Jackson was the runner-up in 2005, and understand that this in a once-in-a-lifetime chance.”