Strictly Come Dancing gave fans a sneak peak into the rehearsals for this year’s Christmas special, as a batch of fresh stars take to the BBC One ballroom floor.
The final It Takes Two episode teased what fans can expect from the festive special, as a slew of stars gave interviews ahead of their dances, including Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts.
The 37-year-old was confirmed to be taking part alongside professional dancing partner Giovanni Pernice, 32.
Yet their appearance in the pre-recorded segment briefly turned tense as Giovanni poked fun at Nicola’s dance moves during her Girls Aloud days.
Nicola admitted she is nervous ahead of the Christmas special, noting she is usually dancing while singing as Giovanni told her he has seen her perform.
Nicola told him of the girl group’s dancing: “They’re very different to this,” as Giovanni then teased: “We call it moves. Not real dancing,” prompting Nicola to roll her eyes to the camera.
The Beat Of My Drum hitmaker announced she would be on this year’s Chirtsmas special during Zoe Ball's Radio 2 Breakfast Show and gushed over her 'great teacher' Giovanni.
She said: “It’s truly an honour to be part of Strictly, but to be invited on to the prestigious Christmas day episode is something very special indeed.
“They’ve promised me extra glitter, sparkle and frosting all wrapped up together with a big bow on top. What more could a girl wish for at Christmas!”
She added: “I'm going to be doing the Waltz but I've never done ballroom dancing. It's very technical which I've struggled with a little bit and I have to say I have newfound respect for all the celebrities that do this season in, season out.
“It doesn't translate on a Saturday doing their dance. You don't see the pain. And even in their VTs, the emotional side of it, the pressure that you put on yourself, the hours.”
Speaking about Giovanni, she continued: “You're having to dance with someone who is a professional and it's a lot but I'm with Giovanni. He's a great teacher, he's very persistent, I've struggled to maintain the position so for me it's like my process.
“To be honest, I don't like the learning process, I have never liked it. I need time to just let it marinate and I need time to sleep on it. But he doesn't work that way!
“There's been no tears but Wednesday's rehearsals I might have been saying explosive things in my mind just to silently vent!”
