Vernon Kay was left "knocked off his feet" after a Strictly Come Dancing star made an emotional confession about her life during his BBC Radio 2 programme. Scottish comedian Susan Calman, who participated in the dance competition in 2017 alongside professional dancer Kevin Clifton, poured her heart out while discussing a song that serves as a reminder to "live now."
Emotional Radio Appearance
Susan's candid reflection unfolded during Vernon Kay's BBC Radio 2 show yesterday (April 30). She appeared in the studio for what became a deeply moving edition of Tracks of My Years. Among her selected songs was Fleetwood Mac's poignant 1975 ballad Landslide. Susan revealed she has been devoted to the iconic rock band her entire life and that Landslide never fails to move her.
She tearfully admitted: "Fleetwood Mac are the one band whose albums I have bought through my life. And all of their songs... Landslide makes me cry. It's the line, 'Even children get older'. It..."
Father's Death and Regrets
Susan's voice began to break with emotion, though she reassured Vernon she was "fine." She continued: "It's the passing of time. It's the regrets I have of not enjoying my life, 'cos there are times where I have not enjoyed my life, and I should have. Why didn't I? Why didn't I enjoy that moment? Travelling round the world, being in beautiful places, and not loving what I was doing because of something stupid."
Vernon kindly responded that she didn't "have to say it" aloud but asked whether she understood what the "something stupid" was. Susan replied: "Yeah, I do, and I've always known that... The problem with my mental health issues is I'm completely aware of them. I don't feel like I became who I am and comfortable with myself until I passed 40. It was terrible before I was 40. Yeah, I didn't know who I was, and I was trying to be someone else; I was trying... And then I got to 40, and I thought, 'Well, okay, I think I'm getting to where I should be.'"
Finding Comfort at 51
Susan explained that when she hit 50, she felt she finally knew who she was. Yet, it is only now, at the age of 51, that she feels "truly comfortable" with herself. Vernon confessed: "Wow, that's knocked me off my feet." Susan theorised that there comes a point where you "stop trying" to impress people, adding that when she turned 50, she reached a stage where she simply says: "This is what I do - there you go."
Susan continued, explaining that Landslide serves as her reminder to "live now." The comedian shared that she has arrived at a place where she feels "more content" than ever before. She became emotional once more while disclosing that her father passed away last year. Susan described her dad's death as a "real wake-up call," and as the track began playing, she stated that "life's short," so we must "live it."
New Friendship
Later during the programme, Vernon disclosed that he and Susan had subsequently swapped numbers, with the pair planning to "get a game of golf in."
