Countdown's Rachel Riley has made a surprising confession: she'd rather take a dip with sharks than step back onto the Strictly Come Dancing dancefloor. The maths whizz, who appeared on the BBC show in 2013, didn't hold back when sharing her thoughts on a potential return.
'I'd rather swim with sharks than do Strictly again,' Riley bluntly stated during a recent interview. Her comments come nearly a decade after her original stint on the celebrity dance competition.
The 37-year-old presenter, known for her sharp numerical skills on Channel 4's Countdown, explained that while she enjoyed elements of her Strictly experience, the intense scrutiny and pressure took their toll. 'It's not just about the dancing,' she revealed. 'The whole experience is incredibly exposing - physically and emotionally.'
Riley, who met her now-husband Pasha Kovalev during her time on the show, acknowledged the irony that while Strictly brought her love, she wouldn't repeat the journey. 'Some things are worth doing once,' she quipped.
The television personality, who's since become a mother to two daughters, suggested she's happier solving mathematical conundrums than mastering the cha-cha. 'I'll stick to numbers - they're much more predictable than dance steps,' she joked.
Her shark-swimming preference might raise eyebrows, but Riley insists she's serious. 'At least with sharks you know what you're dealing with,' she said, hinting at the unpredictable nature of reality TV.
While many celebrities see Strictly as a career boost, Riley's refreshing honesty provides a different perspective on the pressures of prime-time entertainment. Her comments are sure to spark debate among fans of the long-running BBC show.
