Closer (UK)

‘Strictly is nerve-wracking – but the best experience!’

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The Strictly Come Dancing line-up this year is full of brilliant names. I can’t wait for its return! I got to the quarterfin­als last year and it was one of the best experience­s of my life.

I think this series will be full of surprises. I’m a big fan of Peep Show actor Robert Webb and TV presenter Dan Walker is a friend of mine, so I’m excited to see them on their Strictly journeys! I also can’t wait to see EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Lewis, who’ll be the show’s first ever deaf contestant – that’s amazing.

I can imagine how the contestant­s are feeling right now. They’ll be due to start training soon, and going into it on the first day was incredibly nerve-wracking! The first week consists of learning the basics of ballroom and Latin. It’s supposed to help you feel more confident, but I left that session completely terrified and feeling like I’d made a huge mistake in signing up to the show. But

I’m so glad I stuck through it and did it, so I’d advise contestant­s to be persistent.

Another bit of advice I’d give would be to get as fit as possible – it’ll really help you with learning the routines. Other than that, as clichéd as it sounds, just enjoy the experience – it really is incredible. The cast and crew are absolute joys to work with and most contestant­s I know have ended up loving the dancing and looking back on the experience proudly, however hard they may have found it at the time.

● JJ presents The Paralympic­s from 24 August on C4 and More 4 @jjchalmers­RM

 ??  ?? Robert Webb
Rose Ayling-
Lewis
Robert Webb Rose Ayling- Lewis
 ??  ?? Dan Walker
Dan Walker
 ??  ??
 ??  ??
 ??  ?? JJ on Strictly in 2020
JJ on Strictly in 2020

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