Sports journalist Chris Hollins, 46, who was crowned the champion of Strictly Come Dancing back in 2009, addressed the matter of celebrities taking unofficial dance lessons in order to get a head start on their rivals.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast this morning, Chris told hosts Naga Munchetty, 42, and Charlie Stayt, 55, how he had been backstage with the stars to see how the process is getting along ahead of tonight’s grand final.

“I have been behind-the-scenes and I have caught up with lots of people and I know what’s going on,” he said.

“The style of the show has very much changed and it changed after my year,” he admitted. “We had a whole lot of people that had never danced before."

“Maybe it didn’t make a spectacular show on Saturday,” Chris conceded, before revealing: “A lot of people now, if you knew that you were going to do Strictly, you’re going to have some lessons.”

Clearly shocked, former contestant Naga interjected: “We were told we couldn’t!”

Chris, however, simply continued with his line of thought, saying: “Whether it’s a little reminder or maybe just a little taster of what’s to come."

“Most people would say, ‘Well, off course you would’,’ he insisted, explaining: “And there are lots of people that have had lots of experience and that happened even before I took part.”

Chris previously won the coveted Glitterball trophy with his former professional Ola Jordan, 35.

Tonight, Strictly stars Debbie McGee, Joe McFadden, Gemma Atkinson and Alexandra Burke will take to the dance floor for the final time in a bid to emerge victorious.

The Strictly Come Dancing Final airs tonight at 6.30pm on BBC One, whilst BBC Breakfast airs weekdays at 6am on BBC One.