Fern Britton has revealed that she would turn down an invitation to appear on Strictly Come Dancing if she could go back in time. The 68-year-old former This Morning presenter made the confession during an appearance on the White Wine Question Time podcast hosted by Kate Thornton.
Fern Britton's Regret Over Strictly
When asked which yes or no she would reverse in her life, Britton initially discussed her two divorces from chef Phil Vickery and Clive Jones, stating she had no regrets about the marriages themselves. She then pivoted to her 2012 stint on the BBC dancing competition. 'I'm not into regrets, but one thing I do regret is having been divorced twice. I regret, not the divorce exactly, but how that situated my children - that was a big one,' she said.
'But I can't say that saying yes to either husband was a no because it wasn't, it was great until it isn't. Actually, probably a no to Strictly, because it was exhausting. Not the dancing and everything, but the sort of stress of it and emotional aspect of it was huge. So, if I was young again, I wouldn't do that. Or I would say to a young person, 'This is how it's going to feel, this is how it's going to be, and you can either do it or you don't.' I wasn't ready for it I guess, mentally ready for that, so perhaps I should have said no to that. It was great, but it was just one of those things that was tricky.'
Details of Her Strictly Experience
Britton was paired with professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev on the tenth series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2012. The duo were the fifth couple to be eliminated from the competition, which was ultimately won by Olympic gymnast Louis Smith and his partner Flavia Cacace.
Following her departure, Britton made allegations about Chigvintsev's behaviour during training, claiming he 'kicked and shoved' her. She recounted his comments: 'He was like, 'Shut your face. Go home before I kill you.' I would say, 'Oh please just kill me, it would be easier.' Or what was his other one? 'If you go for a cup of tea now, I will blow off like an atomic bomb.' I thought, well I won't correct him on that one.'
Artem Chigvintsev's Response
Chigvintsev has denied the allegations. In an interview with the Daily Express, he stated: 'I believe I treated Fern with respect and genuine care and these claims about me are the opposite of everything I believe in and the person I am. I cannot imagine what has prompted such statements which come as a shock to me.'
