IN a small dance studio in the middle of London, Tom Chambers rubs his shoulder in pain as he picks up a black and white cape.

Standing in the middle of the floor, he proceeds to whirl it around his head as professional dance partner Camilla Dallerup gives him the thumbs up from the wings.

So far, the Derbyshire actor has wowed the Strictly Come Dancing judges with his cha-cha-cha, jive, American Smooth and Viennese waltz.

And this weekend, he will attempt to impress once again with the paso doble.

The 31-year-old had invited the Evening Telegraph to Waterloo for an exclusive peek behind the scenes at a rehearsal on Tuesday.

He admitted the hardest thing would be getting into character for the dance, which is based on movements performed by matadors at bullfights.

"Everything hurts this week – my arms, my legs, my calves and my hamstrings," said Tom.

"The paso is quite hard to learn and because of all the contorted body lines, it puts a huge strain on the muscles.

"All I had done before Strictly was stand round a hospital bed for three years for Holby City and I never went to the gym, so I have been feeling the burn but I am definitely toning up.

"I am really trying to act out the character of a bullfighter for the paso and have been imagining getting 100 parking tickets on one day to get angry!"

Tom, who plays hospital registrar Sam Strachan in the BBC hospital soap, took to the Strictly dance floor in September. Since then, he has learned four different dances while working round-the-clock to film his exit scenes for Holby City – and then marrying childhood sweetheart Clare Harding. Tom and Clare tied the knot at Repton School and had just two days together before Camilla joined them on their honeymoon so that Tom could master the Viennese waltz.

Despite just a few hours' training and some harsh comments from head judge Len Goodman, the pair made it through to the next round of the competition last weekend with the help of the public vote.

Tom said: "Because of last week's poor performance, I have really got to nail this one. I was a bit of a let-down last Saturday and I know it could have been better, so I felt disappointed in myself.

"We tried to put on a performance without ensuring that everything was there technically, which is what Len picked up on.

"I was completely mentally distracted, having just got married, and it has taken me a while to get back to reality.

"But I am raring to go this weekend in terms of getting back in the ring. With the paso, I really want to show everyone a different side. Before, I have performed happy dances but this is completely different."

The Evening Telegraph joined the former Repton School pupil at a gym in Waterloo and by the time we arrived, Tom and Camilla had been dancing for three hours.

Tom said: "Monday is the worst day when it comes to Strictly, as it feels like you are starting from scratch.

"Camilla is so much fun to work with but she is also incredibly strict and does not settle for anything less than your personal best.

"We get on really well and I am loving every minute of the experience."

Professional dancer Camilla has been on Strictly Come Dancing since the show started six years ago. She is hoping Tom, who is originally from Parwich, will help her get to the final for the first time.

She said: "I was asked in the beginning who my dream partner would be and I said someone that is hard-working, keen to learn, fun to be around and a great teammate and I have got all that in Tom.

"I have a standard that I would like to meet for Tom and if we can achieve that standard, that would be great.

"I had such a great series last year with Gethin Jones, as he had great ability but we didn't make it to the final. I feel that with Tom, I have a second shot."

Camilla said the paso doble had proved to be the stumbling block for previous Strictly contestants. She said: "Tom is using the cape in the routine and you are always taking a chance when you incorporate cape work, as you can end up with it wrapped round you. It is coming along nicely and the hardest thing for Tom will be to master the character."

Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC 1 on Saturday at 6.05pm.