Strictly Come Dancing’s live shows are already in their second week as the stars step up their training in order to remain in the game for a bit longer.
The first eliminations take place this weekend so this is the stars’ real chance to prove to the judges and viewers that they have what it takes to lift the Glitterball trophy.
The celebrities and their professional dance partners have been busy rehearsing for their upcoming performance, and there have already been some tears, fears and hunger pangs to deal with.
Anneka Rice has revealed that she’s been overcome with emotion during rehearsals as she and partner Kevin Clifton practiced their Waltz.
The pair will be performing to Run to You by Whitney Houston this Saturday, but will have to bring their A-Game to the dancefloor if the pro dancer has any chance at a second consecutive Strictly win.
Appearing on It Takes Two with Kevin, Anneka admitted that she was in "floods" of tears during rehearsals.
She said: “Today we started on our next dance and it realised from my heart rather than my feet – it's never going to come from my feet! – but I was literally in floods dancing."
Kevin supportively added: "I think Anneka thinks she isn't much of a dancer but I have a bit of a suspicion that she is going to surprise herself and everyone else with this dance."
However, spirits seem much higher, with Anneka sharing a clip of her and Kevin chatting about their rehearsals so far.
The pair confirmed they have been rehearsing from 9am until 8pm for the last few nights, with Kevin joking that “sweat was just pain leaving the body”.
Anneka is seen bleary eyed but happy and in a positive mindset, as Kevin confirmed they have spent the days focusing on technique.
They aren’t the only ones giving it their all to stay in the competition, with James Cracknell concerned that his gruelling schedule may trigger an epileptic fit.
The athlete, 47, has had seizures since he first fractured his skull after a truck smashed into his bike while he was filming Cracknell’s Race Across America in 2010.
James explained that he was worried because his condition was often triggered by fatigue.
Strictly has also been tough on James’ emotions, with the star seen wiping away a tear after he received some very harsh criticism from the judges in week one.
He was spotted on his pro partner Luba Mushtuk’s Instastories giving himself a pep talk, describing his mindset as “on the up”.
James added: “Dancing is supposed to be emotional in your performance but even in training i’m going through peaks and troughs”.
Meanwhile, Michelle Visage is struggling with her own hunger after revealing her pro partner Giovanni Pernice had essentially banned lunch breaks.
The pair will be dancing the Viennese Waltz to That's Amore by Dean Martin this weekend and it seems their rehearsals have been the most intense of them all.
The 51-year-old Drag Race judge told the Loose Women panel: "We did eight hours, that's not a little bit. He didn’t even take a lunch break. he went straight through."
When Giovanni revealed he was currently on a diet, Michelle jokingly snapped back: "So now I have to diet?"
He went on to explain: "We have to keep our bodies clean as we’re dancing a lot."
Former England footballer Alex Scott has been fighting through her own troubles, with the star revealing that has has been forced to practice her routines in trainers due to her “dodgy ankles” from old sporting injuries.
Speaking to the Express, Alex said: “Neil's been great about my ankle injuries. He's told me it's fine not to wear heels in every rehearsal.”
Alex and Neil Jones wowed the judges in week one with an energetic quickstep to I Get a Kick Out of You by Frank Sinatra.
Week two will see the pair do the Cha Cha to What I Did For Love by David Guetta feat. Emeli Sande.
AJ Pritchard and his partner Saffron Barker have also been using Instagram to document their rehearsal journey, with the pair practicing for around 11 hours a day.
The pro dancer showed fans images of them pouring with sweat, with the caption: “Only an 11hr day today... Honestly so worth it, making the most out of everyday & @saffronbarker sure makes me sweat.”
They will be doing the Cha Cha to One Touch by Jess Glynne and Jax Jones, as they hope to have another high scoring week in the competition.
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