Carol Vorderman has declared she will never return to Strictly Come Dancing, revealing she “absolutely hated” her brief stint on the show in 2004. The former Countdown star made the admission during a conversation about reality television with Coronation Street actress Sally Lindsay on the programme A Night In with Sally Lindsay, produced in collaboration with Channel 5.
Vorderman’s Strictly experience
Vorderman appeared in the second series of the BBC dance competition, partnered with professional dancer Paul Killick. She performed a waltz in week one and a rumba in week two before being voted off. Reflecting on the experience, she said: “I did Strictly in the second series. Claire Sweeney persuaded me to do it because she was in series one, and I hated it. I absolutely hated it. So I won’t do that again, not that they’d ever ask.”
She also ruled out participating in Big Brother, stating: “I would never do Big Brother. I’d be cancelled before I set foot through the bloody door.” Vorderman noted she had taken part in I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Australia and the first South African version.
Health update after chronic pain
The comments come after Vorderman shared an update on her health. Last year, she was unable to work due to “chronic” pain and was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Speaking to Woman Magazine, she said: “I had chronic pains and tried all sorts of medications but now I’m finally on the right ones. So, I have changed my life, I see all my friends. I have got a social life from heaven now, and I am having a great time. It really is amazing.”
On Heart Radio, she recounted her symptoms: “I had burnout and then, it’s a really weird thing. I had sudden and chronic rheumatoid arthritis and I literally would lie on the floor crying for a day and I couldn’t move my shoulder. I had to keep my elbow in at my waist. I’ve been on steroids on and off, months and months and months because they have to try certain drugs for you and that takes months for them to take effect. But now I’m on the right ones and now I’ve been off steroids for three months and it’s like ‘Yeah, I like this’.”
Political support and upcoming TV appearance
In other news, Vorderman has voiced support for Makerfield MP Andy Burnham to become Prime Minister following Keir Starmer’s resignation. She told Good Morning Britain: “He’s very popular across the North and much loved in Liverpool. I think this is a time of opportunity, and I think in terms of politics, there are times when you want to vote against someone, and Reform are now going down and down and down in the polls.”
Vorderman is set to appear on Blankety Blank on BBC One on Saturday, June 27, from 6.05pm to 6:40pm.
