Strictly Come Dancing contestant Alex Kingston has discovered an unexpected source of support during her time on the hit BBC show – her famous neighbour, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Prime Ministerial Backing
The 62-year-old actress, best known for roles in ER and Doctor Who, reportedly lives in the same South Oxfordshire village as Johnson, who resides there with his wife Carrie and their four children. According to The Mail on Sunday, Johnson enthusiastically declared, "Alex seems to be doing incredibly well. The whole village is behind her."
A source close to the community added to the sentiment, revealing that "Boris is part of the community which has really got behind Alex. It's lovely to see." The pair are even reported to share a personal trainer.
A Village United by Strictly
The community's support extends far beyond well-wishes from its most famous resident. A heartwarming weekly ritual has emerged, with local residents gathering in the village hall for live screenings of the show each weekend.
This community event was highlighted in a local newsletter, The Villager, which described the "splendid" activity as something that serves to "cheer us all up." Further adding to the excitement, the Mail reported that someone "very close" to Alex, believed to be her husband Jonathan Stamp, had a "lot of money" bet on her to win the coveted Glitterball Trophy.
The Physical Toll of Competition
Now in week 10 of the competition, Kingston's journey hasn't been without its physical challenges. After performing a Cha Cha to Ring My Bell by Anita Ward last week and scoring 23 points, the actress spoke candidly to host Claudia Winkleman about the strain on her body.
"It's never really discussed when you're at the sharp end how your bodies are really suffering," she confessed. "My 62-year-old self is saying 'What are you putting me through?' But my spirit and my soul is going (fingers in ears) I don't want to know, I want to keep dancing."
Fans on social media platform X praised her honesty. One viewer noted she had "more than proved herself" and should hold her head "high," while another stated that although her performance "wasn't the best," she should be "incredibly proud" of her efforts throughout the series.
