Irish TV presenter Angela Scanlon has said she's ready to "surrender to it all" on Strictly Come Dancing, saying she feels "weirdly ready to engross myself in some sequins and glitter!"
The 39-year-old Meath-born presenter is among the stars taking part in the 2023 run of the popular dancefloor show which kicks off this Saturday on BBC One.
She will be competing alongside Adam Thomas, Annabel Croft, Amanda Abbington, Angela Rippon, Bobby Brazier, Eddie Kadi, Ellie Leach, Jody Cundy, Krishnan Guru Murthy Layton Williams, Les Dennis, Nigel Harman, Nikita Kanda and Zara McDermott.
Get the lowdown on why Scanlon decided to take part, whether she thinks her Irish dancing background will help and her signature dance move at parties...
What made you want to take part in the show this year?
Oh, it's just pure joy. I think life is kind of serious sometimes isn't it? It's escapism, it's fun and I just feel weirdly ready to engross myself in some sequins and glitter!
What do you think will be the biggest challenge?
I mean the physicality of it, I'm genuinely not great on a trampoline, so I don't know which dances involve the most jumping...the Charleston might be a problem for me?! I think it's fine because it's a bit silly, and that's probably where I lean to naturally. I also think the Rumba is going to give me the heebie jeebies. I need an alter-ego...Sasha Fierce style!
How do you feel about being 'Strictly-fied’?
I'm all in, well I think I am. I'm quite a tomboy, so in theory, I love it but it's the lady like things that make me feel a little more uncomfortable! I'm usually either in jeans and a jumper or I'm in a tall skirt and a sweater. I'm up for it, I've kind of gone, ‘I'm going to surrender to it all!’.
Are there any memorable or standout moments for you, from previous series?
Bill Bailey, I think was one of those moments where I thought it felt very empowering. I remember Hamza and Jowita where she was like, a bird! I can’t remember the dance but it was this breath-taking moment it was just perfect, he just blew me away because it was so unexpected, their partnership just felt very otherworldly.
Do you have any previous dance experience?
I did Irish dancing when I was younger. Where you're expressly told to remain stiff as a board from the waist up, so I'm not sure how that's going to go down in Latin or in Ballroom?!
How are you preparing for the show?
I'm doing reformer Pilates, so lots of stretching and the odd run around the park. So it's been kind of gentle but truthfully, I have not been very physically active for a few years. I’m kind of thinking ignorance is bliss, I don’t know if that’s the right approach but we’ll see!
Have you had any advice from anyone who has done the show before?
Lean in has been the advice, so to kind of just really go for it, which I think I'll do anyway. When I'm in the mix of whatever it is I find it hard not to.
Also to be brave, which sounds very dramatic. I think I'm going to be really embarrassing and really embarrassed.
But then I'm also like 'embarrassment' as a thing doesn't kill you, it's the kind of thing that I would encourage my daughter to go towards rather than away so I'm just going to go for it.
Do you know any of your fellow 2023 contestants?
I have met Nigel Harman and Angela Rippon, but aside from that, I didn't know any of them. So a nice fresh start.
Who do you think is your biggest competition?
Oh, I think there's a few dark horses in there. I think Bobby's going to be really good. Bobby Dazzler, the smile on him! I also think Nigel and Layton.
Do you have your eye on the Glitterball?
No, but I'd love to get to Blackpool because I believe the floor is bouncy and I like the sound of that. But no, I'm trying to be involved in the process, not the outcome.
Do you have a signature dance move you always do at parties?
Absolutely... the running man!
Strictly Come Dancing starts on Saturday 16 September at 6.35pm on BBC One.
The first live show of Strictly Come Dancing will air the following week on Saturday 23 September at 6.15pm on BBC One.
