Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
‘Exhausted’ Debbie struggling to train
Strictly tango and panto taking their toll
DEBBIE Mcgee has admitted she is “exhausted” and struggling to practise her two new routines for Strictly as well as learning her lines for panto.
Debbie and Giovanni Pernice will perform the Argentine tango this weekend and compete in the paso doble-thon for extra points.
She must also prepare to play fairy Adorabella Marigold Angelpie in Beauty And The Beast in York.
On This Morning yesterday, the 59-year-old former ballet dancer said: “It’s fantastic and I’m having an incredible time but it’s not an easy time. It’s really tough.
“Maybe because I’m older, you get more tired. I really struggled on Monday. I was totally and utterly exhausted from Blackpool and the emotion of being in the dance-off, then the relief we’d got through.”
Giovanni, 27, said their tango was going well. He said: “On paper, it is the perfect dance for Debbie because it’s all about legs – and she’s got beautiful legs.”
They said they had “laughed” over rumours they were having a passionate affair. Giovanni then gave presenter Holly Willoughby an impromptu dance lesson and she declared: “I’m going to fall in love with you by the end of this.”
If she wins, Debbie will be the oldest person to take the title, beating journalist Chris Hollins, who was 38 when he won in 2009.
Strictly Come Dancing is on Saturday, BBC1 at 6.50pm.