Former BBC News presenter Kate Silverton has admitted that appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2018 felt more "excruciating" than reporting from war zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan. The 55-year-old, who finished in eighth place on the dance competition alongside professional partner Aljaz Skorjanec, described the experience as her most vulnerable moment on television.
Strictly: A Different Kind of Challenge
Speaking to The Sun's Fabulous Magazine, Silverton reflected on her varied career and explained why the dance show was particularly daunting. "The thing that's made me feel most vulnerable was taking part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2018," she said. "News was my home – I could rely on my intellect and think on my feet – but Strictly was a whole different ball game, and it was petrifying. I didn't have the confidence in my body or ability."
Silverton recalled a moment of nervousness before a live performance: "One night before dancing live, I said: 'Is it normal for feet to sweat?' I loved the training, but being out there in the ballroom often felt excruciating."
Using Strictly to Boost Her Career Change
Silverton had previously spoken about her reasons for joining the show, revealing that she hoped to use the platform to further her ambitions beyond journalism. In a 2024 interview on Mark Wogan's Spooning podcast, she said: "I thought I could do Strictly and actually use the profile that Strictly gives me to do what I really wanted to do."
She had been volunteering with children's charities and working with families while still at the BBC. Becoming a parent inspired her to learn more about child development. "I was talking and interviewing lots of psychiatrists and neuroscientists and psychotherapists about, when you have a baby, is it meant to be this hard? So I was benefiting from all their advice," she explained.
Silverton added: "There was this whole shift going on. I really want to help share some of the wisdom that I've been gifted. So there was this whole thing, do Strictly, raise the profile for children's mental health and actually write the book. Because I felt compelled to write a book with all this advice and science that had been shared with me."
From BBC News to Child Therapy
Silverton left the BBC in 2021 after 24 years with the corporation to train as a child therapist. After completing her training, she began working in primary schools, supporting children with additional and complex needs. She also authored a parenting book titled There's No Such Thing As 'Naughty', which draws on the scientific advice she gathered during her research.
