Ipswich’s Strictly Come Dancing star Robin Windsor has backed the celebrity ballroom show to defeat a revived X Factor in the Saturday night ratings war again.

It comes as Simon Cowell continues to pull out all the stops to rejuvenate the flagging flagship ITV show and steal the spotlight away from its BBC rival. He has re-signed Cheryl Cole and is casting his eye over Hollywood for his fourth judge, with pop star Rihanna a rumoured target.

Since he left the show in 2010, Strictly has dominated the ratings war and this year retained its title for the best talent show at the National Television Awards.

And Robin, a former Clifford Road Primary and Copleston High school pupil, admits he cannot wait to help the ballroom show retain the ratings glitterball – despite suggestions it could be a victim of BBC cutbacks.

“We are definitely coming back,” he said. “I’ve read everything in the newspapers and people are saying how long will it be until it gets boring?

“But Strictly gets better every year and we will continue until the public tells us otherwise and the ratings drop. That will be the time to say goodbye.

“Expectations are high and we have an awful lot to live up to, especially with the X Factor making its return and trying everything to get the viewers back.

“They have got Simon and Cheryl back but the format of the X Factor is dropping down. In my personal opinion it is not about the judging panel, it is about the talent, and we will give the X Factor another run for its money.

“We are going to have to make sure we remain the best show on TV, and I don’t think that will be a problem at all.”

The 33-year-old was partnered with Dragon’s Den star Deborah Meaden in the last series. And although the couple waltzed out of the competition in week five, they have remained good friends.

“She took me to a Beyonce concert at the O2 Arena in London and we had a boogie together,” he said.

“It is a shame we went out early because she was clearly getting better and was not the worst dancer. We saw this absolutely amazing side of her. She was not a dragon. People can fall in love with ballroom dancing and she did that.”

He added: “I always strike up a great friendship with my dance partners, especially Lisa Riley. We reached the semi-finals last year and she is one of my best friends and hosted the Strictly tour.”

He remained coy when asked about his next Ipswich performance, but teased: “There might be something on the horizon for next year.”