Strictly finalist George Clarke says he is glad YouTubers are lastly ‘represented’ on mainstream TV and ‘revered’ sufficient to be solid after Angry Ginge’s I’m A Celeb win

George Clarke says he’s glad YouTubers are finally being ‘represented’ on mainstream TV and ‘respected’ enough to be cast on major shows.

The social media star, who has amassed millions of followers on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube with his comedy skits, admits he is surprised by his newfound fanbase, which now includes grandmothers and mothers, as well as the youngsters he’s used to.

During a Strictly press conference at BBC Broadcasting House on Wednesday, George congratulated fellow YouTuber Angryginge, real name Morgan Burtwistle, on his recent I’m A Celeb win, after becoming the first content creator crowned King of the Jungle.

He hopes that reaching the Strictly final will help change the public’s perception of social media stars, introducing their world, including live streaming, to a new demographic.

George says appearing on Strictly alongside new professional American dancer Alexis Warr has also helped him come out of his shell, allowing him to showcase his personality for the first time without hiding behind a phone screen.

While his close family has always supported his career, George joked that for the first time they could truly understand and enjoy what he does as he competed on Strictly.

George Clarke says he’s glad YouTubers are finally being ‘represented’ on mainstream TV and ‘respected’ enough to be cast on major shows 

On Wednesday, George congratulated fellow YouTuber Angryginge on his recent I’m A Celeb win, after becoming the first content creator crowned King of the Jungle

George hopes that reaching the Strictly final will help change the public’s perception of social media stars, introducing their world, including live streaming, to a new demographic

He said: ‘It’s been mental, it’s a completely different world to what I’m used to. I am used to performing to a camera that’s inches from my face and I can cut out all the rubbish bits but unfortunately, I can’t do that on the ballroom floor.

‘Where I’m from, as if I’m from a completely different world, there are no levels of people to go through and it’s a much raw thing, I guess, you have one person doing a video and that’s the only operation. But this is a huge thing, it’s something my family can properly understand. 

‘It’s been a genuinely really lovely experience. It’s an uplifting, happy environment to be in. Outside of learning how to dance, which is debatable, I have learned a lot about myself, which I think you can see. 

‘I have realised the past few weeks, I have learned how to put my personality across in dancing. At the start I focused way too much on the technique and that’s all I was thinking about instead of enjoying it, which is ultimately why people dance, because it’s fun. 

‘It’s been a real journey, and I have come out of my shell and learned what it’s really about.’ 

George, who has also starred on the Netflix series Inside, created by YouTube group the Sidemen, said his fanbase has now reached audiences he never thought he could.

He added: ‘It’s really weird to walk down the street now because I had no idea. I left Elstree Studios a few weeks ago and we went to the shop and Sue came over, she’s like you’ll have to take a photo for me, and then there was a kid on his way home from school, there’s all sorts of people.’ 

The podcaster explained that the world of social media is vast, and the way he creates content is very different from how Angryginge has grown his platform.

George says appearing on Strictly alongside new pro dancer Alexis Warr has also helped him come out of his shell, allowing him to showcase his personality without hiding behind a phone

George also admitted he feels relieved that his time on Strictly came before hosting duo Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman bow out at the end of the current series 

He is pleased that alongside reality stars, sports personalities, singers, and performers, YouTubers have recently begun entering mainstream TV and are even winning big shows thanks to their huge popularity.

‘It’s quite interesting because I feel like if you ask a lot of people, they say, “My kids love you”‘, George said. 

‘I feel like a whole demographic that hasn’t really been reached on mainstream TV until recently is finally being seen. 

‘While Angryginge and I are both content creators, it doesn’t mean we’re the same demographic. With footballers and stage performers, we have all sorts of different things – content is just the way we are perceived. 

‘I do more comic skits, he does more streaming, and they’re completely different sides. It’s just a new medium. It’s nice to have a bit of representation there and respect. Congrats to him.’

George also admitted he feels relieved that his time on Strictly came before hosting duo Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman bow out at the end of the current series.

He explained that although he and partner Alexis have only spent 13 weeks getting to know the presenters, it’s easy to see why they are so beloved by the cast and crew, praising their genuine care for the contestants.

George said: ‘We’re very aware of how big a part Tess and Claudia are to Strictly. 

‘We’re looking at it as a privilege just to be part of a series, let alone their last one. 

‘The professionals have a lot more to say about them because they’ve spent much longer with them, but even Alexis, who’s only been here as long as I have, has realised just how inclusive and loving they are. 

‘We’ve known them for 13 weeks, but it feels much longer, and you can tell they genuinely care. It’s clear why they’ve been such a huge part of Strictly for so long, it really is a privilege to be part of it.’