Strictly Come Dancing’s Toyah Willcox has revealed her take on the controversy that has engulfed the BBC dance show in recent months.
The results of an internal investigation into multiple allegations of bullying and abusive behaviour by professional dancers towards their celebrity partners is expected to be announced imminently.
In the meantime, the broadcaster has introduced new welfare policies to protect the show’s participants, including the use of chaperones during rehearsals.
Speaking to the Standard, Willcox, 66, did not shy away when asked if it had made her think twice about signing up.
The singer and actress said: “It made me take what’s coming very seriously. What’s happened in the last year is because this show is 100 per cent committed to dance and you’ve got to go beyond your own comfort zone, that’s always been very obvious.
“I know for me with what's been going on this year I’ve thought, ‘can I push myself beyond my own limitations’, and for me it’s now or never. It’s simple as that. That’s what made me commit to the show.”
Willcox fronted the eponymous band Toyah from 1977 before becoming a solo artist in 1983 and has 13 top 40 singles to her name, including It’s a Mystery, Thunder in the Mountains and I Want to Be Free. She has also featured in films including The Corn is Green and Derek Jarman’s 1979 adaptation of The Tempest.
She added: “I’ve done West End shows but I’m a character actress, I’m not a dancer and will give anything a go. It’s going to be very challenging I think for all of us.”
