EXCLUSIVE
Former football sex symbol and Dancing With The Stars champion Anthony Koutoufides prepares for ‘the fight of his life’ after he confirmed a shocking move in the political arena.
Daily Mail Australia can reveal that the much-loved Carlton Football Club star will officially announce his decision to run in Melbourne’s upcoming mayoral election on Thursday.
The 51-year-old has spent the past month thinking a lot about the proposal and the impact the high-profile role – and the criticism that comes with it – could have on his wife Susie and three children.
The former Australian Gladiators reality show star has now gained the support of his entire family in the upcoming political battle and is currently finalising his candidacy – and his running mates – in preparation for Thursday’s announcement.
Despite efforts from parties on both sides of the political spectrum, the AFL legend – seen by many as the first ‘modern’ Aussie Rules star – has decided to go it alone and remain as an independent.
The decision puts ‘Kouta’ up against incumbent mayor Nicholas Reece, who has held the seat since being sworn in as Melbourne’s 105th mayor in July, following the resignation of his predecessor, Sally Capp.
Koutoutfides first suggested he was considering entering politics last month after revealing that a friend had approached him about the October mayoral elections.
Anthony Koutoufides (pictured with his wife Susie) will run for Mayor of Melbourne in October
‘Kouta’ was crowned Dancing With The Stars champion in 2006, partnered with Natalie Lowe (pictured)
Koutoufides (pictured in action for Carlton during a 2005 match against the Sydney Swans) was one of the country’s biggest football stars in his heyday
He then spoke of his love for the southern capital and his desire to give back to the community that has supported him throughout his sporting and media career.
“I really want to look at it because I would like to do something with it if I can,” he told The Age last month. “I love this city, I love this country.”
‘Kouta’ was a force in the AFL in the 1990s and early 2000s, playing 278 games for Carlton and winning the 1995 championship with the club.
He was seen as a sex symbol and appeared as a pin-up in the racy Men For All Seasons calendar, which was hugely popular at the time.
Koutoufides rose to reality stardom with roles as ‘Kouta the Greek God’ in the 2008 Seven Network revival of Gladiators and two appearances on Dancing With The Stars. In 2006, he was crowned champion of the reality TV dance-off.
He has already had a taste of the level of scrutiny that comes with a move into politics, after an ugly spat between the All-Australian and the builder overseeing the construction of his family home made national headlines in January.