If you’d told us this time 12 months ago that the country’s deputy chief medical officer would be a household name we’re almost certain we wouldn’t have believed it.

Then again, it really has been a funny old year, hasn’t it?

With Jonathan Van-Tam having now spent more time on our screens than some of our actual favourite TV stars this past year, it was only ever going to be a matter of time before he wound up a rumoured Strictly Come Dancing contestant.

Ladbrokes is now offering odds of 5/1 of Van-Tam getting his dancing shoes on later in the year, but he’s made it abundantly clear that’s not on the cards for him anytime soon.

In a new interview with ITV News, he joked: “I think it would be rather like watching Jumbo [the elephant] on ice. But I don’t want to spoil the bookmakers’ books, so I’ll say no more than that.”

Van-Tam wouldn’t be the first public figure to hit the Strictly floor, though, with Ann Widdecombe, Edwina Currie and Ed Balls all appearing on the BBC dance show in the past – with varying degrees of success.

Last year’s Strictly also saw former home secretary Jacqui Smith taking part, though she and her professional partner Anton Du Beke were the first couple sent home from the competition.

The show was eventually won by comedian Bill Bailey, beating pop singer HRVY, EastEnders star Jacqui Smith and Made In Chelsea’s Jamie Laing in the live final.

Watch Jonathan Van-Tam’s full interview on ITV News on Wednesday evening.