Gemma Atkinson has revealed her biggest fear on Strictly Come Dancing 2017.
Actress Gemma has first rose to fame in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks before moving to BBC One’s Casualty and later ITV’s Emmerdale, where she was nominated for ‘Best Newcomer’ at the National Television Awards last year.
“I am honoured to be asked and so thrilled to be joining Strictly Come Dancing 2017!” said Gemma after signing up last month.
She added: “I’m beyond excited and incredibly nervous but I am looking forward to learning a new skill in ballroom and latin dancing and taking on this new challenge.”
Now speaking ahead of the live shows, Gemma admitted her secret fear while appearing on the BBC One series.
“My worst fear is – when you have to come up the stairs after you dance? That, for me, is more nerve-wracking because your adrenaline is going to be high,” she explained. “You’re wobbly because you’re out of breath.
“The camera’s looking down at you… That’s my worst fear, the end of the dance.”
As for why she signed up for the new series, Gemma explained: “I’m taking part because I want to challenge myself in any way possible really. To be in a sparkly frock with heels on, learning to dance live on a dance floor is way out of my comfort zone.
“Anything to do with the gym I’m comfortable with but anything to do with girly stuff, I’m not. Strictly is the show that everyone wants to watch, you can watch it with your niece and nephew or your nanna and grandad. It’s a show that everyone across the country gets behind so I think for me not to do it when it’s offered would be silly.
“I want to really make the most of the opportunity!”
Last weekend saw Gemma get her pro partner and was coupled up with Aljaž Skorjanec.
The pair are now hard at work in rehearsals ahead of next Saturday night’s first live show
Asked how she rates her dancing going into the first show, Gemma said: “I’d say my dancing is maybe 4/10 or when I have a drink in me, 6/10. I did disco dancing when I was about 9 or 10 years old but as far as ballroom and Latin training goes, I couldn’t even say what dance is what.”
Strictly Come Dancing airs tonight at 6:25PM on BBC One.
