Monty has pecs appeal
Sunday News
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League Monty Betham showed yesterday he's ready to muscle up for the semifinals of Dancing With The Stars.
The hunky former Warrior and professional boxer looked in great shape as he jogged in the Auckland Domain with heavyweight boxer Shane Cameron.
"Monty's mean and lean," Cameron told Sunday News.
"He's showing another side to him with this dancing and he's going bloody well. When he played footy he was the hit man but he's lost weight and he's in great shape."
And Monty's muscular frame has been utilised with his moves on the dance floor.
"Those muscles do come in handy, especially for the lifts," Monty's Dancing With The Stars partner, Nerida Jantti, told Sunday News.
Just hours after his workout with Cameron, Monty and Nerida were at the dance studio working on the paso doble and the tango for Tuesday's semifinal.
Monty is hoping to outdance netballer Temepara George and actress Miriama Smith to win the $50,000 for his charity Plunket.
Nerida said making it into the top three was a relief but now the real hard work began.
Monty impressed three of the four judges but Craig Revel-Horwood criticised him for sticking out his butt during the waltz. Nerida said Monty was extremely dedicated and was going from strength to strength.
"He really puts in the hours and the effort," she said.
"And like the judges said, being a guy they've not only got to learn the dance, they've got to lead. I don't think I could move him if I tried!"
Nerida said Monty had handled the limelight well.
"Can you imagine a boxer and a rugby league player getting into PVC in pink on the first show!"
Nerida's partner Shane Cortese, who danced with Nerida in the show's first season, was on hand to offer support for the dancing team.
Monty and Nerida, below, will make a guest appearance at the Warriors-Newcastle game at Mt Smart stadium this afternoon.
While they would not be dancing on the grass, "I think he's going to throw me round a bit," Nerida said.
