Carol Vorderman has admitted she "absolutely hated" her stint on Strictly Come Dancing and vowed "never again." The former Countdown star made the confession during a conversation about reality television with Coronation Street actress Sally Lindsay on the show A Night In with Sally Lindsay, produced in collaboration with Channel 5.
Strictly Experience and Early Exit
Vorderman participated in the show's second series in 2004, partnered with professional dancer Paul Killick. She performed a waltz in the opening week followed by a rumba, but was eliminated in week two. 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."
When asked about other reality shows she would avoid, Vorderman added: "I did I'm a Celebrity Australia and then I was in the first South Africa one. They've done two. Yeah, which one wouldn't I do? Quite a few. I would never do Big Brother. I'd be cancelled before I set foot through the bloody door."
Health Update: Rheumatoid Arthritis Battle
The revelation follows Vorderman's recent health update after a period of being "very poorly." 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."
Describing her ordeal on Heart Radio, Vorderman explained: "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 Endorsement
Meanwhile, Vorderman has backed newly elected Makerfield MP Andy Burnham as a potential Prime Minister following Keir Starmer's recent resignation. Speaking on Good Morning Britain, she said Burnham is "very popular across the North and much loved in Liverpool." She added: "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."
Catch Carol on Blankety Blank on BBC One on Saturday, June 27, from 6.05pm to 6:40pm.
