Susan on Strictly
I’m not stick-thin or 6ft tall. I suffer from self-confidence issues like a lot of women. I’m doing this to show you can put yourself out there and have fun doing it
Strictly star Susan Calman has revealed how the Saturday night show has changed her inside and out.
The comedian and presenter has gone down a dress size since she started the show – and says she’s feeling fitter, happier and more confident than ever.
Susan, 42, said: “Last year, I was on my sofa on a Saturday with a takeaway and a bottle of wine watching Strictly.
“A year later, I’m on it and the wardrobe people had to re-measure me this week because I’ve gone down at least one dress size.
“None of my clothes fit me any longer and I am probably the fittest I’ve ever been.
“We’re training eight hours a day for four days. It’s the most intense exercise I’ve ever done.”
Susan has left audiences smiling every week with her joyous, entertaining routines and boundless enthusiasm for both the show and her dream partner, Kevin Clifton.
Despite having performed before both on the comedy club stage and on TV, Susan admitted to some nerves about performing live in front of millions.
But she added: “My selfconfidence has undoubtedly increased as a result of this show and dancing live in front of 11 million people.
“It’s a very emotional experience in a positive way. The wave of love and joy we got after last Saturday night was incredible.
“I’ve been overwhelmed by how positive everyone has been on social media, and every single message and every single vote we get dulls anything negative.
Having spoken openly about her battle with depression, Susan says dance has had a positive effect on her mental health.
“I’m a great believer in exercise helping depression and one of the best things I ever did was get into exercise,” she said.
“There’s also the happiness I get from dancing. There was a moment last week where I threw my head back in joy just at the end of our quickstep. The absolute joy I’m getting from performing on a Saturday night is helping my mood and how I feel about things.”
Susan says she’s exactly like everyone sitting at home and hopes that’s help connect with viewers.
“I’m not stick-thin or 6ft tall. I suffer from self-confidence issues like a lot of women.
“I’m doing this to show you can put yourself out there and have fun doing it. If me doing this is helping people then that’s great.
“I’ve talked for years about how much I love the show, so Strictly is a dream come true.”
She credits Glasgow, where she lives with her wife Lee Cormack and their five cats, with helping her stay grounded during her whirlwind time on the show.
“I think being at home and among the Glaswegian people – who are very positive but at the same time will never gush – it really helps,” she said.
Last week, Susan’s speedy quickstep to Bring Me Sunshine hit the mark with the judges, who scored her 30 points – a personal best.
But she was less confident with this week’s performance.
A knee injury saw her struggle to conquer the cha cha cha, which she performed to the Little Mix anthem, Shout Out To My Ex.
But she’s there to enjoy it, no matter what, and Susan has no regrets about temporarily swapping comedy circuit for Strictly dance floor.
“I’ve always wanted to dance with Kevin and throughout the competition, and everything we’re doing is entirely in keeping with who I am,” added Susan, who did a “feminist samba” where she was dressed as Wonder Woman.
Susan adores both the show and her professional partner, Kevin.
He’s reached the final four times, but neither have their sights set on the Glitterball Trophy yet.
She just hopes to get through the results show tonight.
“I’d love to get to Halloween, but if I can get through week to week that’s all that matters,” said Susan.
“I didn’t come on Strictly to win. It’s about enjoying it and making people at home enjoy it, too.”