Quotes of All Topics . Occasions . Authors
One of the reasons I said yes to doing 'Strictly' was because it is so far removed from what I do for a living ordinarily.
I never would've thought of going on 'Strictly,' I mean, I went on because it's my mum's favourite programme in the world.
My sexuality, in terms of 'Strictly' or whatever else I do in my life, ought to be as irrelevant as the length of my big toe.
The 'Strictly' experience is really like no other - the training and work that goes into it is immense.
I got extremely fit and slim on 'Strictly,' but I did find that, each week, a different part of my body hurt. It really makes you realise the hard work dancers have to put in and how fit they have to be.
When you do 'Strictly,' you're kind of restricted. You have to dance for 90 seconds, you have to choreograph for your partner.
Everybody who talks about 'Strictly' talks psychobabble. They say they're going on a journey, or trying to build their confidence, or getting over a divorce or something. People say there must be a deep reason to do these things. But there isn't! I'm just having fun.
I've watched 'Strictly' every single year. I think the only year I didn't watch it was when I was on 'X Factor!' I was a bit busy in 2012! But apart from that, I've always watched it.
Having been part of this wonderful show ever since series one, I know all too well what it's like to perform to the nation on the famous 'Strictly Come Dancing' dancefloor.
Although I won many titles on the competition circuit, my first professional audition was in 2015 for the popular German version of 'Strictly Come Dancing', called 'Let's Dance'.
For Strictly,' when you go out on a Saturday, you want to look your best for the public. I can't go out there in my jogging bottoms.
Do you know what, before 'Strictly,' I've always regretted not training as a dancer.
I didn't get in to 'Strictly' the first time, but my determination and enthusiasm shone through and got me a job on the show the following year. Don't give up and turn the no's and setbacks into a positive!
I've learnt not to expect a lot from supermodels - we've had them on 'Strictly' before and they've been horrendous.
I've come to realise that being on 'Strictly' is like being in another theatre company and performing a live production.
Ever since I was a presenter on CBBC and used to see the 'Strictly' judges walking around Television Centre, I have wanted to be on the show.
When I joined the 'Strictly Come Dancing' panel in 2009, the controller of the BBC came into my dressing room and said they were proud to have a woman of colour on their panel. It was so nice that they acknowledged it.
2018 has been such a fantastic year for me: working on some hard-hitting documentaries, as well as 'Strictly,' has been a real treat.
The best thing about 'Strictly' is it doesn't matter what level you start at, if you've never put a foot in front of the other in your life.
Would it be a big step forward for the LGBTQI community if there were same-sex couples on 'Strictly?' Do me a favour. Some things ain't politics, and 'Strictly' is one of them.
I suddenly received a call from my agent offering me the chance to do 'Strictly' and I had to make the decision within an hour or two. I was doing a different job towards the end of the year so I had to change my plans, but it was a no-brainer.
The thing is, with doing our TV show 'Strictly,' and 'Stand Up For Cancer' and any shows I do for TV, it's always so positive.
Every job I've inherited, like 'Strictly's It Takes Two' and the radio show with Zoe Ball or 'Big Brother' with Emma Willis, I'll always ring them first and say, 'Are you OK with me doing it?'
I always enjoy the process, meeting somebody new and spending time with them and becoming friends with them. That has always been the joy of 'Strictly' for me, so I enjoy every year.
I'm obsessed with 'Wicked', and I'd love to play Nala in 'The Lion King'. Some of the songs from 'The Lion King' are performed in my native tongue, so when the cast performed an extract from the show in 'Strictly' in the language I grew up with, it made me cry.
When I first went on Strictly' I had a little phase at the beginning, you know, when I was sat next to this really beautiful lady, Darcey Bussell - this ballerina, this Snow White beauty - that I stopped eating until I looked at myself and realized I looked so gaunt.
I did 'Strictly' with my whole heart, my whole soul. I genuinely put everything into it. To be part of it is so amazing.
But 'Strictly' is meant to showcase people with talents in acting, singing, sports, journalism… not fame-seekers with no discernible talent.
I had three brilliant years on 'The X Factor,' and it was one of the best jobs I've ever had. 'Strictly' is completely different; it's a whole different show - I'm dancing. It's not presenting. But this is one of the best things I've done - ever.
I was on 'Strictly' because I was getting stage fright. I was taught that I had to imagine what a good outcome would be and be happy with it.
There are plenty of organisations making a real difference to the lives of gay people around the country that do need our help, so why undermine the wonder of 'Strictly' by politicising it?
I don't see myself going back to 'Strictly' as a professional in the same capacity as I started. But I'll definitely keep dancing.
'Strictly' is a bit like scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup Final or sinking the final putt in the Ryder Cup - only a few people get the opportunity to do it, and they have got to be famous.
When you are part of a massive TV show like Strictly,' it's not just about the professional dancers and celebrities taking part, there could be young or old people out there who are watching and they might also be inspired to take up dancing, and I find that so special.
I absolutely love watching 'Strictly' every weekend and I can't believe that I'm getting the chance to be on this series.
Strictly' has evolved - there are such beautiful stories within each dance. We're not doing a ballroom and Latin competition, it's an entertainment show.
University was a shock to the system. At times, I really thought I couldn't do it. It's the same with 'Strictly.' I'm completely out of my comfort zone.
In our 'Strictly' group, we really did bond. It's seemingly disappointing to some that we had no diva meltdowns. I made true friends during the experience, which is surprising because I'm not a new-pals sort of person.
I did have to turn down things in the past, which I was upset about sometimes, but I understood I was part of 'Strictly Come Dancing.'
I don't get grumpy at a 'Strictly' level, you understand. We're just making a television show - the person I'm dancing with can't dance; they're doing their best, and we're not going to win the World Championships.
Strictly' is the most successful reality format in the world - it's in the 'Guinness Book of Records' - going to 38 countries. 'X Factor' hasn't done that.
I'm the sort of person - for example coming off 'Strictly' - I make decisions, then I just deal with them and I go with them 100 per cent.
Since being involved in 'Strictly Come Dancing,' my life has changed completely. I can't walk down the street without women throwing themselves at me, I usually wouldn't mind, but they are of a certain age. Hopefully, after this series, they will bring their daughters!
Don't get me wrong, I really like being a judge on 'Strictly.' But my first love and passion is directing and choreography and I will be doing that until the day I die.
I had four fantastic years on 'Strictly' and they were honestly the best moments of my life - meeting friends, just seeing the whole team work.
I once called EastEnders' Patsy Palmer 'a scrubber in a Puffa jacket who cries all the time' on 'Strictly.' She said I wasn't actually a dancer. That wasn't my finest moment.
I watched 'Strictly' and thought, 'That's pretty cool.' But as a child, this was the show that I was like, 'Oh, my god. I want to go on 'I'm A Celeb.''
I'm not saying the persona on 'Strictly' isn't me - it's just that the nurturing side, which is also a part of who I am, isn't what I'm there for. I'm there to judge and to give an honest opinion, even if it's not the opinion someone wants to hear.
I think Phillip Schofield would be great on 'Strictly.' He got up on 'This Morning' once with Holly and did a bit of a boogie and he can dance, and he is entertaining, and he is such a nice guy.
I've had four fantastic years on 'Strictly Come Dancing,' but for us it's about moving forward and the end goal is to present a shiny-floored Saturday night TV show that we all love, for example, 'Strictly,' 'Britain's Got Talent' - those sort of shows.