Poll-dancing Hide ponders a star turn

MP Rodney Hide insists he has two left feet on the dance floor. Picture / Mark Mitchell

Act leader Rodney Hide says he has been sounded out about appearing on the next series of Dancing with the Stars but that he is so used to dancing with political wolves it may not be the right role for him.

Mr Hide said that the approach from Television New Zealand was just asking if he was interested, and neither he nor the programme's producers had decided whether he should go on the show.

"I am so used to dancing with wolves, it might make a nice change to dance with stars. But I am not sure if it is the right role for me," Mr Hide said.

The show might be fun and it could raise his profile, he said.

On the other hand, Mr Hide was not certain if the public liked their political leaders appearing on light entertainment shows.

There was also the time commitment required.

"I have a big job as the MP for Epsom and as leader of a small party and I really have to concentrate on that ... but we will see."

Dancing with the Stars was a ratings hit when it last aired, matching celebrities including Labour MP Georgina Beyer with top ballroom dancers.

Former All Black Norm Hewitt won the show, which has dancing couples voted off by the audience.

It helped boost Hewitt's profile as he started off with few dancing skills.

Mr Hide said he was also in the two-left-feet class of dancing, with little experience since 1967 when he did folk dancing at school.

- NZPA