Vicky Pattison has emotionally admitted feeling “overwhelmed” and “struggling” with the rigours of Strictly Come Dancing ahead of her debut in the ballroom this weekend.
The 37-year-old, whose partner will be confirmed in Saturday’s launch show, has made no secret of how daunting she has found the experience, but speaking to GB News at the show’s press day, Ms Pattison went further.
“We’ve had a couple of days and I think I can speak for everyone when I say it’s a baptism of fire,” Pattison told GB News during the roundtable interviews.
She went further: “We got the video back last night and in my head I thought I looked like Swan Lake and really graceful, but actually I looked like some f***ing drunken bird being lifted out of a nightclub.”
Despite co-star Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink interjecting to insist Ms Pattison is actually “very good”, the reality TV star wasn’t having any of it.
“I’ve gone back to what I know clearly. I think we’re all still finding our feet, as cliché as that sounds, but it’s overwhelming. I can’t explain it any other way,” she added.
BBC Strictly: Vicky Pattison and Dani Dyer pose behind the scenes of this year’s show
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Despite her apprehension, one part of the Strictly experience she did welcome was her choice of partner.
Each year, bosses select which celebrities will be paired with each professional, meaning neither party discovers their partner until the grand reveal.
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BBC Strictly: Vicky Pattison has admitted she’s finding the experience ‘overwhelming’
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BBC
While she stopped short of revealing her partner’s identity during the roundtables, Ms Pattison had nothing but high praise, especially for how they’re helping her with her struggles.
“I think they’ve nailed it,” she admitted. “I’m nervous. I can be neurotic, like a little coiled spring, and my partner is calm and measured. I’m a mess.”
The vulnerability of Ms Pattison may come as a shock to fans who’ve followed her throughout her career. The reality TV star is no stranger to a challenge and won I’m A Celebrity in the Australian jungle a decade ago.
“I’ve done (I’m A Celebrity) twice! I actually loved it. The worst thing I ate was fish eyes and blended camel penis,” she said when asked by GB News why Strictly was proving a more overwhelming experience.
BBC Strictly: Vicky Pattison has been a familiar face on screens for over a decade
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PA
“I think everybody has different skillsets, don’t they? And I was, don’t forget, 10 years younger, and there’s something willfully arrogant about you in your twenties, and I was.
“I had so much to prove, and I was so ready for people to say it was something I wouldn’t take on, and I just went for it. I wish I could have a bit more of that confidence now, if I’m honest.
“Also, this is a skill. In the jungle, you’re being yourself.
“Yes, there are some kangaroo balls and some creepy-crawlies, you’re not gonna like, but this is all about skill, and I’m struggling with that.”
It isn’t just from her pro partner that Ms Pattison has been receiving plenty of support from, with several famous faces sending their best wishes as she continues to provide updates ahead of the first live show.
On a recent Instagram post of her official Strictly portrait, former MasterChef judge John Torode encouraged: “You will be ace. You know, just believe VP x.”
“You are going to be SENSATIONAL,” added presenter Gaby Roslin, while Kate Lawler echoed: “Eeeeeek can’t wait to watch you on it x.” (sic)
Meanwhile, the likes of Strictly alum Gemma Atkinson, Angela Scanlon, JB Gill, and many more similarly shared their messages of support.