One of Strictly Come Dancing’s new contestants has already learned the hard way that life under the glitterball isn’t all glamour.
Ex-Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison has revealed she has been left with painful blisters and bruises on her feet after her very first week of training for the BBC competition.
Sharing graphic images on Instagram, the 36-year-old admitted she had underestimated just how demanding the show’s rehearsals would be. “Our first @bbcstrictly rehearsal… The start of the day versus the end,” she wrote alongside before-and-after pictures of her battered feet.
“It certainly was a baptism of fire lads… that’s for sure! If I was doubting my ability before, then I REALLY am now!!! Dancing is SO HARD!”
Pattison told fans she felt as though she had been “hit by a car” after the session and joked she would need to apologise to “all the fellas I stepped all over today.”
Despite the pain, she was quick to praise her fellow contestants and the professional dancers, writing: “No wonder those pros are all drop dead gorgeous. I feel like I’ve already got blisters - WTF? But what an amazing day. The team are incredible, the celebs are so wonderful, and the pros are an absolute joy.”
Her candid post included photos of her swollen, sore-looking feet. Pattison said the experience had given her “a newfound appreciation for everyone who’s ever taken part,” adding: “If I hang around long enough… I think I’ll really love my new family.”
The reality star is one of 15 celebrities taking to the floor for the 23rd series of the show, which returns next month.
The line-up also features Love Island winner Dani Dyer, actress Alex Kingston, EastEnders regular Balvinder Sopal, former England striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, TikTok creator George Clarke, Drag Race performer La Voix, model Ellie Goldstein and rugby international Chris Robshaw.
They are joined by Gladiators favourite Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, The Apprentice’s Thomas Skinner, Good Morning Britain’s Ross King, Lioness Karen Carney, Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis and Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn, best known as Hodor, who was revealed as the final contestant last week.
The celebrity hopefuls will now spend the coming weeks rehearsing ahead of their live debuts, when they will face judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.
Strictly continues to face scrutiny off the dancefloor, following reports alleging drug use by two former contestants. It is the latest in a series of controversies for the BBC’s flagship show, which in recent years has been dogged by claims of backstage bullying, misconduct and the suspension of several stars.
