Ex-Aussie Rules sex symbol Anthony Koutoufides makes shock switch to politics ahead of looming Melbourne mayoral race

EXCLUSIVE 

Former footy sex symbol and Dancing With The Stars champion Anthony Koutoufides is preparing for ‘the fight of his life’ after confirming a shock move into the political arena. 

Daily Mail Australia can reveal the much-loved Carlton Football Club great will officially announce his decision to run in Melbourne’s looming Lord Mayoral race on Thursday. 

The 51-year-old has spent the past month agonising over the proposition and weighing up the impact that the high-profile role – and the scrutiny that comes along with it – could have on his wife, Susie, and three children. 

However, the one-time star of reality TV show Australian Gladiators has since received his entire family’s backing in the upcoming political tussle and is currently finalising his candidacy – and running mates – ahead of Thursday’s announcement. 

Despite fielding approaches from parties on both sides of the political aisle, the AFL legend – considered by many to be the first ‘modern’ Aussie Rules star – has decided to go it alone and will stand as an independent. 

The decision will see ‘Kouta’ go up against incumbent Nicholas Reece, who has been keeping the seat warm since being sworn in as the 105th Lord Mayor of Melbourne in July following the resignation of his predecessor, Sally Capp. 

Koutoutfides first mooted he was considering a move into politics last month after revealing he had been approached about October’s mayoral race by a friend. 

‘Kouta’ was crowned Dancing With The Stars champ in 2006 alongside Natalie Lowe (pictured)

Koutoufides (pictured in action for Carlton during a 2005 clash against the Sydney Swans) was one of the biggest footy stars in the country in his heyday

At the time, he spoke about his love of the southern capital and desire to give back to the community that has supported him through both his sporting and media careers. 

‘I really want to look at it because I am keen to do something if I can,’ he told The Age last month. ‘I love this city, I love this country.’

‘Kouta’ was an AFL powerhouse in the 1990s and early 2000s, playing 278 games for Carlton and winning a premiership with the club in 1995.

He was considered a sex symbol and appeared as a pin-up in the racy Men For All Seasons calendar, which enjoyed huge popularity at the time.

Koutoufides went on to become a reality television star with roles such as ‘Kouta the Greek God’ in the Seven Network’s 2008 revival of Gladiators, and two stints on Dancing With The Stars, and was crowned champion in the reality TV dance-off in 2006.

He has already had a taste of the level of scrutiny that will come along with the move into politics after an ugly spat between the All-Australian and the builder overseeing work on his family mansion made headlines across the country in January.