George Clarke on His Unconventional Social Media Career and Family Reactions

Strictly star George Clarke has revealed that his YouTube career has been hard for his family to ‘get their heads around’, but his successful father has still watched all of his videos.

When the 25-year-old influencer was announced as part of the BBC show’s line-up, it was revealed that he is a secret nepo baby.

George’s dad is Sean Clarke, the managing director of Aardman Animations – the studio behind British institution Wallace and Gromit.

Starting at the company in 1998, George’s dad Sean worked his way up, co-producing Early Man and the two Shaun The Sheep movies – and in 2019 was announced as the new boss of the whole operation.

And speaking to The Mail on Sunday about choosing an unconventional career, George admitted it was hard for people in his life to get ‘their heads round’, but they have still always been supportive and now love watching him on Strictly.

‘I’ve got such a supportive family through everything I’ve done. They have been there front and centre. Obviously, it is such a different world, and it is quite hard for people to get their heads around. It is just me posting videos in my room and that being a job, but they have always been so supportive,’ he shared.

Clarke launched his TikTok account in December 2019 and began posting on YouTube thereafter. He has since amassed over 3 million followers across both platforms, as well as Instagram and Twitch.

He also co-hosts The Useless Hotline Podcast alongside Max Balegde, which has proven so popular that it has led to a series of live shows across the UK.

And despite his father’s demanding workload, he never misses one of George’s YouTube videos.

He explained: ‘My dad and grandad have watched every video I’ve ever posted. My nan has always been very supportive, but it is nice to have something a bit more tangible for her, and she can understand. She’s been telling all of her friends she doesn’t normally vote, but she has been using all five for me.

‘And one week, my uncle was getting flak from my Auntie because he used four votes for me and one vote for Vicky one week!’

Just two weeks ago, George broke down in tears after dedicating his performance to his beloved mum amid her battle with cancer.

He took to the dancefloor with pro partner Alexis Warr for an emotional Rhumba, leaving fans at home and head judge Shirley Ballas in tears.

Giving an update on how his mum Nicky is doing, he told The Mail on Sunday: ‘She’s in high spirits, she is positive. When you speak to her, we ask how she is doing and ask if there is any news, and she will just try to gloss over it as quick as possible.

‘She asks, “How is your dance going this week, darling. Are you eating enough?” It just shows the person she is, she is very positive and hoping that things will improve.’

The influencer previously opened up about his mother’s terrifying Encephalitis battle, which left her in intensive care and unable to recognise him.

Encephalitis is an uncommon but serious condition in which the brain becomes inflamed and can result in confusion and memory loss.

Recalling his mum collapsing he said: ‘I saw her being wheeled out, and she didn’t recognise me, That summer was filled with hospital visits as she relearned who we were. She even called me “Fat Boy” for a while!’

Elsewhere, George revealed the unlikely friendship he has struck up with Strictly host Claudia Winkleman, 53.

‘Our chats are just utter nonsense. It is just sarcastic remarks back and forth,’ he explained.

Alexis added: ‘I love hearing yours and Claudia’s conversations. It is so entertaining, I love it.’

George continued: ‘Claudia and Tess have both been so accommodating and so sweet and lovely. They genuinely want to know how your week has been. I’ve not noticed any difference in their demeanor in front of and behind the camera.’

After getting three 10s last weekend for his Samba in Blackpool, George will be hoping he can top it with his and Alexis’ Quickstep to I Get A Kick Out Of You by Frank Sinatra.

The remaining celebrities and their pro dancers will also take on a brand new challenge on Saturday, called Instant Dance.

It will see each couple pick a dance style at random from the ones they have learnt in the competition so far.

They will then be played their accompanying music and – after a frantic dash through wardrobe to select and change into their costumes – each couple will have just 10 seconds on the countdown clock to decide exactly how they’re going to dance it.

Once all six Strictly couples have danced, the judges will rank them and award their extra marks accordingly.

Then, a maximum of six marks will be awarded to the couple whose Instant Dance performance impressed them the most, right down to one point for the couple whose dance impressed them the least.

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.