Strictly Come Dancing star Nicola Roberts has opened up on the pressures she faced ahead of the show's Christmas Special. The former Girls Aloud singer admitted 'beating herself up' after initially struggling to learn her dance routine for the festive episode.
Nicola, 37, is one of six celebs taking part in the show and has been partnered up 2021 winner Giovanni Pernice. Speaking ahead of the special, which airs on Christmas Day, she compared Strictly rehearsals with those of her touring days.
“My process is quite slow," she said. “When you’re in a band you have weeks to perfect a two hour show, so there’ll be certain numbers that you pick up quickly or the numbers that might take a good couple of weeks to really sink in, and that’s my process, that’s how I’ve learned over the years.
“Obviously, with Strictly you don’t have the luxury of having time. It wasn’t until after the fourth session that I felt like we were in a good space.
“Before that I was beating myself up and not understanding the routine, not grasping the technical aspects, and the position is still not there every time and it’s a lot to think about so it’s been very fast but I like to be professional and I like to do a good job, and I’ve had a great time!”
The pop star and her Italian dance partner also spoke about what it would be like to win. She added: “I haven’t seen anyone else’s dances but I think we’re all coming at it from different backgrounds. It’s very hard to be competitive for a show like this, especially when everyone’s so lovely, and it’s the Christmas special and it’s a bit of fun.”
Gio, who won the 19th series of Strictly Come Dancing with actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, said: “I’m feeling competitive, I want to win! There are a lot of good dancers as well, and it’s going to be fun!”
For Nicola, her time with Girls Aloud means she is no stranger to the glitz and glamour of Strictly. “Well I spent a long time in a girl band where I was girl band-ified for a long time, and then you step out of that world and you learn how to be you without of all of that," she said.
"And now I’m back in the machine just for a couple of weeks where I’m being plied with glitter and sequined dresses and dressed as Santa’s helper, and I said I wanted fun and it has been fun.”
Nicola follows in the footsteps of bandmate Kimberley Walsh who took part in the show's 2017 Christmas Special alongside former Strictly professional Pasha Kovalev.
This year’s special will also see CBeebies presenter George Webster dancing with professional Amy Dowden, and Coronation Street star Alexandra Mardell partnered with Kai Widdrington.
Actor Larry Lamb will dance with Nadiya Bychkova, DJ Rickie Haywood-Williams with Luba Mushtuk and podcaster Rosie Ramsey will be partnered with Neil Jones.
Last year's show was won by singer Anne-Marie and Graziano Di Prima.
The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day at 5.10pm.
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