Vicky Pattison has revealed that her excitement and anxiety over her participation in Strictly Come Dancing 2025 got the better of her.
The Geordie Shore and Ex On the Beach star, 37, is one of 15 celebrities who’ll be taking to the floor in the latest edition of the BBC dancing competition.
While she might have been crowned Queen of the Jungle in 2015 on I’m A Celebrity, that doesn’t necessarily mean Strictly will be a walk in the park for her.
Vicky confessed that, after signing up for the dancing show, she sought help and expertise from This Morning’s psychologists Nick and Eva Speakman.
‘I went back to therapy, but I pretty much cried for three hours straight. Therapists are great, like – I’ve been super honest. I go and see the Speakmans.’
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She told Angela Scanlon’s Get a Grip podcast: ‘It started off like, why I’m so stressed about Strictly. They always find, like, the easy way in. And I wrote down all the reasons why I was doing Strictly.
‘[The Speakmans] wrote my reasons down on a board for me and I sat [looking at it]. It was super illuminating,’ she explained to former Strictly contestant Angela.
‘I want to prove to people that I can do it, and that I’m more than just a reality TV star. And I want to be a TV presenter eventually and I think this is a great step.’
Vicky continued: ‘I want to make my family proud. They love Strictly. I want to have a nice home, financial security… and I want to go on nice holidays. I think this could be a step to that.’
Angela, who finished 6th on Strictly in 2023, listened as Vicky recounted a sessions in which the Speakmans made it clear she had already achieved her goals.
‘What it all boiled down to was me trying to change the opinions of people who will never like me, who are convinced I’m nothing but that girl from Geordie Shore… I’m wasting my time trying to pander to these people.’
Vicky’s latest comments have come just a couple of weeks after she revealed the impact that Strictly rehearsals have had on her since she signed up.
After her first day of training had come to an end, Vicky likened the experience to being ‘hit by a car,’ before sharing a snap of her bashed-up feet.
‘Our first Strictly rehearsal – the start of the day vs the end,’ she captioned the post. ‘If I was doubting my ability before, then I really am now!’
‘Dancing is SO HARD! No wonder those pros are all drop-dead gorgeous. I feel like I’ve been hit by a car and I’ve already got blisters.
‘A serious new found appreciation for everyone who’s ever taken part!’
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