ENGLAND goalkeeping legend Peter Shilton admitted he is far from a sure bet to win Strictly Come Dancing during a visit to Golders Green at the weekend.

The most capped England international was speaking at the opening of a Coral bookies, in Golders Green Road, on Saturday, and ahead of a training session for the hit BBC show.

Capped 125 times for his country, the 61-year-old is no stranger to success, but knows stepping onto the dance floor next month will be a whole new challenge.

He said: “We're not allowed to bet on Strictly, I don't even know what the odds are.

“It's early days and I'm just getting into it. I've been training every day. It's quite hard work, but enjoyable, I'm just giving it my best shot really.

“We're just building into it. There's a lot to learn, but with the long sessions you have got to put the work in because I'm starting from scratch.

“Strictly is a great show and a terrific change. It's not only entertaining but you also have a chance to compete, which is what I like doing.

“I'm going into it to try and do my best. Just wait and see. I don't know what's going to happen, and I think that is the exciting part.”

The former Leicester City and Nottingham Forest goalkeeper, who racked up 1,005 league appearances, said he did a bit of dancing about 40 years ago to help him become lighter on his feet, but admits he does not remember many of the moves.

And getting to grips with the flashy fashion on the show has been easier than learning the fancy footsteps.

He said: “I wasn't sure about the sparkling tops. But I've had a chance to try them on and they weren't too bad actually.

“Maybe I could have had a few more sequins on my goalkeeper's top when I was playing.”

Shilton was making a personal appearance at the newly refurbished Coral bookmakers, but said his brush with gambling problems does not have any bearing on how he approaches the events.

He said: “I've always enjoyed racing but it's not something that I chat freely about, most of it is football related.

“I've got a bit of an association with Coral. People can come in, have their picture taken and have a bit of a chat. I enjoy listening and talking football with people.”

A free accumulator bet worth £2 was handed out to customers, with Coral donating the proceeds to the Stanmore based charity, Norwood.

Andrew Worley, area manager for Coral, said: “Peter is a football man and well known. He does bits for charity and we know he has the sort of personality that relates to customers.

“We were looking around at which charity to give money to, and it was the shop's team that decided on Norwood.

“Whatever little bit we can do helps. They are a local charity and we try to give back to the community.”