Former All Saints star Melanie Blatt has revealed she felt profoundly uneasy during her participation in the upcoming Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special.
Speaking to stand-in presenter Christine Lampard on this morning’s edition of Lorraine, the 50-year-old singer described the experience as completely foreign territory.
“I mean it was like nothing I have ever done before,” Ms Blatt admitted during the interview.
When Mrs Lampard suggested that Strictly had made her more nervous than any previous performance, despite her extensive stage experience, Ms Blatt confirmed the assessment.
Melanie Blatt shared she was ‘deeply uncomfortable’
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ITV
“Out of the comfort zone was the smallest thing you could call it,” she explained. “I was deeply uncomfortable throughout it, but it was an amazing experience.”
The singer emphasised that challenging herself remains her daily priority, adding: “I really did that.”
Ms Blatt was partnered with professional dancer Kai Widdrington, 30, for the festive special and had nothing but praise for her dance partner.
“He was amazing,” she enthused of Mr Widdrington during her ITV Lorraine appearance.
Melanie Blatt applauded BBC Strictly partner Kai Widdrington
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BBC
The singer expressed profound admiration for all the professional performers on the programme, describing herself as completely in awe of their abilities.
“Everybody on that show, the pro dancers, I was just in awe,” Ms Blatt remarked.
She acknowledged that attempting to replicate their movements highlighted the vast gulf between amateur and professional ability.
“You know they are spectacular but it’s not until you try to dance like them, how inadequate I am, and how extra amazing they are,” she confessed.
Melanie Blatt took part in the Strictly Christmas special
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BBC
The singer was particularly impressed by their athleticism, asking: “The bounce, how do you jump like that?”
Ms Blatt and Mr Widdrington will perform an American Smooth to The Pussycat Dolls’ rendition of Santa Baby when the special airs.
They face competition from five other celebrity contestants vying for the Glitterball Trophy.
Gogglebox favourite Scarlett Moffatt, 35, has been paired with Vito Coppola, 33, and the duo will tackle a Cha Cha Cha to Cher’s DJ Play A Christmas Song.
Gladiators competitor Jodie Ounsley, 24, joins forces with Neil Jones, 43, for a Street/Commercial routine to Kylie Cantrall’s Red Christmas.
EastEnders actor Nicholas Bailey, 54, partners Luba Mushtuk, 36, for a Viennese Waltz to Andy Williams’ It’s The Most Wonderful Time.
Brian McFadden, 45, dances the Jive with Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, to Kelly Clarkson’s Run Rudolph Run.
Comedian Babatunde Aléshé, 39, and Nancy Xu, 34, complete the line-up with a Charleston to Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters’ Santa Claus is Coming to Town.
Beyond the dancing itself, Ms Blatt revealed that wardrobe requirements posed a significant hurdle during filming.
In previous comments to the BBC, she explained: “The main thing that I’ve had to overcome is the outfit side of things. I’m not a dress wearer, but I’ll be wearing a long flowy dress for this.”