STRICTLY’S CAROL: I’M TOO UNFIT TO DANCE
WEATHER presenter Carol Kirkwood is convinced she will be a damp squib on Strictly Come Dancing. But the army of admirers of the BBC Breakfast star – renowned for rarely getting a prediction wrong – will be hoping her forecast is wide of the mark. Carol is petrified her physique will let her down on the dance floor as ballroom battle commences. And her worries about her fitness will be put in the shade compared to the fear she has of flashing her legs on national TV for the first time.
Millions of viewers tune in to see the glamorous presenter each morning but only get to see her from the waist up.
Carol said: “I’m unfit, I’m 53 and I’m wishing I had dieted and exercised back in January. But I didn’t and I’m an idiot.
“I’m self- conscious about my legs – having to get them out is why I wished I had dieted and exercised.
“It’s the skimpy outfits that concern me most. I think they strap you in.”
But she added: “Everybody who does it says Strictly has changed their lives – I want that as well – and I would like to get as far as is humanly possible.”
Divorcee Carol is one of 15 celebrities taking part in the 13th series of the smash- hit show, which returns tomorrow.
Among them is recently- single sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher, for whom dressing up in barelythere outfits holds no concerns.
She said: “If you are a girly girl you love all that. It’s part of the glamour of Strictly and that’s why people love it – a bit of dressing up.”
Kirsty, 39, split from husband Paul Sampson – the father of their two sons – earlier this year but is not seeking a ballroom romance.
She said: “I am newly single but it’s definitely not why I am doing it.”
Proms host Katie Derham, 45, said: “My husband is a huge fan of the show and all his mates have been teasing him. I have two daughters who love dancing. So I have really got to not let them down.”
BBC Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine, 50, said: “I truly, madly, deeply want to learn to dance. Part of the reason is Martha and Anna – my daughters.
“I want to show them that life is about taking chances.”
The stars will find out their professional partners during the star- studded launch show hosted by Tess Daly, 46, and Claudia Winkleman, 43. The couples will then have three weeks to train before returning to perform live every week.
Sir Bruce Forsyth, 87, will present special Children In Need and Christmas editions while Zoe Ball, 44, will front Strictly It Takes Two each weeknight on BBC Two.
Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One tomorrow at 7.15pm.
TV’S most comely weather girl Carol Kirkwood wishes she had dieted before appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in skimpy outfits. No need, Carol – there will be sunny smiles all over the country when you take to the floor. And deep depressions if you don’t make the final.