Susannah: “I went to pieces on Strictly”
As Strictly comes to an end this week, Susannah Constantine admits she’s still hurt she was kicked off first
She was booted off the show S in week one – but that hasn’t deterred Susannah Constantine from putting on her dancing shoes one more time to perform on the Strictly Come Dancing final.
But while the 57-year-old TV presenter admits that she was over the moon to be reunited with former dance partner Anton du Beke, it was hard to forget the feelings of being voted off first.
GUTTING
She recalls, “It was gutting being voted out. It was absolutely the worst feeling. I felt like I had been dumped by a boyfriend, which is why I had my hair cut afterwards.
“On the show, when I went out on that dance floor, I just went to pieces. I was never going to get over that, however long I stayed in there – whether I went out first or last – and even with Anton, who was so amazing and supportive, I just couldn’t get over that fear.”
After their last performance, Anton told the audience, “It’s just all too brief. I have had the most fabulous time with Susannah, and she is going to be a great loss to the show. Sadly, someone’s got to go, but I wish it wasn’t you because you’re wonderful to be with.”
Although it has been over two months since she exited the show, Susannah still has an injury that she is recovering from, and she tells Closer that she’s advised Anton she won’t be much use during their final dance because of it.
She says, “I have torn an intercostal muscle, and it’s incredibly painful because it’s the muscle that holds the ribs together. Lots of people get it when they do Strictly. Kate Silverton has got the same injury, and Stacey Dooley did it as well. It is quite common. You just have to wait for it to heal, and I am still in recovery.
FEELING HEALTHY
“I’ve said to Anton, ‘You have either got to carry me, or I’m not going to move and I’m just going to stand there.’ I can be like a maypole and everyone can dance around me.”
The star – who lost 1st 7lbs in three months earlier this year when she cut out sugar from her diet – says that, other than her injury, she’s feeling happy and healthy overall, adding that she’ll be trying to avoid indulgent puddings and treats this Christmas.
She says, “I feel like I’m going into Christmas in the best shape that I can be. I’m 10st 7lbs at the moment. I still don’t smoke or drink, I run a lot and I have kept the weight off. I just need to make sure that I don’t eat lots of sugar over the festive season.”
Even though she was only on the show for one week, she still has fond memories of all her fellow celebrities, with Youtube star Joe Sugg being her favourite.
She says, “Joe is so lovely and humble and down-toearth. He is a really sweet guy, and he genuinely hasn’t danced before. He has made so much progress and I grew very close to him.”
Susannah’s novel, After The Snow, is out now