Strictly's Fleur East broke down in tears backstage after landing in bottom two again

Fleur East has said she's found Strictly Come Dancing "physically and emotionally challenging," with her adding that she's cried behind the scenes over losing co-stars.

The singer, 35, is among the remaining contestants on the BBC show. She has made it through to the quarter-final this week with her dance partner Vito Coppola, 30.

They will be performing a quickstep in the hope of securing a place in the semi-final next week. Fleur has however said it's "anyone's game" at this stage in the competition.

She spoke about the experience on Greatest Hits Radio yesterday. She told radio host Jackie Brambles, 55, that she has been surprised by the difficulty of taking part in Strictly.

Fleur East and dance partner Vito Coppola are among the remaining couples on Strictly Come Dancing this year (BBC/Guy Levy)

Fleur said it looks "like a lot of fun" and "easier" at home. Although she expected it to be "difficult" in terms of learning routines, she said it's been more challenging than expected.

The contestant added: "It's been a lot more physically and emotionally challenging than I thought." She said that she has even been crying behind-the-scenes of the show.

She said: "The amount of times I've cried when people have left the competition. You get so close to everybody and muscles have ached that I didn't even know could ache".

The pair, pictured with Ellie Taylor and Johannes Radebe (left), have been in the dance-off on three occasions (Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)

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Fleur - who has been in the dance-off on three occasions - discussed being in the bottom two while on the radio show. She described the experience as "unpredictable".

She said it's something the contestants have to get used to, as you never know who will end up in the bottom. Fleur added: "I never get comfortable. I never get too confident."

Fleur spoke about the experience during a recent interview (Credit: BBC) (PA)

Fleur said she hadn't been "surprised" to be in the bottom two last week, as "anyone" could be in the dance-off. She added at this stage in the competition it's "anybody's game".

Strictly Come Dancing continues tonight (December 2) on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 8pm. This week's results will be broadcast tomorrow (December 3) from 5.40pm.

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