AS Strictly Come Dancing fever grips the nation, could it be Herefordshire's fault should a leading celebrity be knocked out this weekend?

Antiques expert Tim Wonnacott paid a visit to Leominster and Hay-on-Wye on Tuesday while filming his hit daytime TV series Bargain Hunt.

But last night, on BBC show It Takes Two, the Strictly contestant said the visit was hampering his dance training with partner Natalie Lowe.

"Herefordshire and the Welsh borders were not particularly lovely at the start of the week," said Wonnacott, who took over Bargain Hunt from David Dickinson.

"It was lovely to go and lovely to meet all those people in the butchers and the rest of it, but actually it didn't do the dance much cop.

"You go in for a pasty and they want to know about your Paso Doble.

"It was lovely to see you but we need a bit of practice time."

The show's host, Zoe Ball, then said to viewers: "All the people in the butchers in Hereford; leave him alone."

Wonnacott filmed in Leominster's Corn Square before travelling to Hay-on-Wye where he paid a visit to Oscar's Bistro.

"He was filming outside and he just popped in," said Jan Keylock who works at Oscar's.

"We were talking about Strictly and Bargain Hunt. He seemed a really nice man."

It is unclear which butcher shop he called in to.

Wonnacott and Natalie Lowe are due to dance the Charleston to Money, Money from the Bob Fosse musical Cabaret tomorrow.