Delta Goodrem has admitted she 'can't move' after her first day of Strictly Come Dancing rehearsals. The Australian singer, 41, took part in her first rehearsal at a London dance studio on Friday and is already feeling the strain.
Baptism of Fire
Reflecting on her progress with new Strictly host Emma Willis, she said: "I can't move today… I had my very first day yesterday. Obviously, there was a lot of dancing, so it was a baptism of fire, a lot of shock for the body, so I'm slow moving today."
Despite her pedigree as a seasoned performer, Delta insists she doesn't have an advantage over her Strictly rivals because her music doesn't lend itself to dance. "I love dancing, but I don't get to dance," she explained during an appearance on BBC Radio 2. "It's never been my role. My music doesn't sit in the space where I do a lot of choreography."
No Dance Experience
"I don't do a lot of dancing, and I don't think people associate me with dance… I've never done ballroom. I didn't even know there was a difference between Latin and ballroom until yesterday," she added.
Delta was the third celebrity to be confirmed for the new series, following the announcements of former Love Island winner Dani Dyer and EastEnders star Lacey Turner. She was confirmed for the twenty-sixth series in June, shortly after representing Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Eclipse.
Awaiting Partner
Last week, the singer admitted she was yet to be assigned a professional dance partner and was already feeling nervous about her imminent appearance on the show. "I think in a couple of weeks, so it's still like a week or so away when we start the process," she told Sunday Brunch. "I'm excited, nervous, all those kinds of things."
Asked if she saw herself as a potential winner, she added: "I am going to go in and give my very best that I possibly can. I have no expectations or awareness of what level of dancing."
Strictly Come Dancing Return
Strictly is back this autumn and winter for its first series since hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman quit the programme. They have been replaced by a trio of presenters - Johannes Radebe, Josh Widdecombe and Emma Willis.
Delta shot to fame when she starred as aspiring singer Nina Tucker on Neighbours and then went on to a major pop career with hits such as Innocent Eyes and Born To Try. Along with the likes of Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Holly Valance and Natalie Imbruglia, she is part of a cohort of stars who started out on the Australian soap before going on to conquer the music industry.
After signing up for Strictly Come Dancing, she said: "I've been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career – from TV, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world. There is, however, one stage I've never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor. I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining Strictly and can't wait to get started."
