Laura Whitmore hopes her Strictly ankle injury will give her "a bit of an edge" in the competition and admits the unfortunate incident has made her stronger.
The 31-year-old Bray native returned to the dance floor for last Saturday's Halloween special episode for the first time since her injury that left her almost unable to walk, and managed to top the judges' leader board with a passionate tango with partner Giovanni Pernice.
"Last Saturday made all the pain and anguish worth it. Sometimes pain gives you a bit of an edge," Whitmore told the Press Association.
"I've worked in TV for so many years and never been in a situation where I've felt so exposed and out of my depth.
"I have never had an injury before. When your body tells you to take a rest it's very difficult and it's tough to find that motivation to get back on your feet. It has made me stronger."
Although she has received huge support from Pernice and everyone involved in the BBC dance contest, she was "not ready at all" for the next round of the competition on Saturday.
The pair began full training for their next dance, a samba, on Wednesday, the day after they attended the Pride of Britain Awards in London.
"Giovanni actually taught me the first steps on the red carpet," she said, "so even that wasn't an evening off".
Strictly Come Dancing next airs at 6.55pm, November 5 on BBC One.
