‘I was unable to speak – this still feels like a dream’
The Viscountess on her triumphant Waltz, showing her mischievous side and Aljaž vs the tarantula
‘With a lot riding on our “comeback” performance, last week was a moment to show true grit and fight for my position in this competition. To top it all off, I had an iconic Whitney Houston song to dance to, a ballroom gown to die for and Aljaž teaching me the most exquisite Viennese Waltz. It still feels like a dream! I was extremely nervous before taking to the floor again, but the routine went perfectly. We even ended in a position that we hadn’t planned yet felt instinctively right. The funny thing about the slower dances is that they require more attack. You have to drive with the thighs while keeping the top half secure and precisely poised.
Shirley praised me for finally fixing my frame and Craig said I had shown that I deserve to be in the competition. We were awarded four nines and I was unable to speak for a good 10 minutes. I was immensely grateful for their recognition of our hard work and to find ourselves almost at the top of the leaderboard. Being announced as clear to dance through to Hallowe’en week was the icing on the cake. Aljaž and I are so grateful for those allimportant votes. Thank you to everyone who supported us.
Having watched our Viennese Waltz back, I can’t believe that’s me. Aljaž told me that I came back fighting like a lion! Incidentally model Abbey Clancy and family were at Longleat last Saturday to go on safari. Perhaps it was a good omen, her having been Strictly champion with Aljaž in 2013? Either way, I’m aiming to come into this week with the ferocity of those big cats!
This week, we’re dancing a murder mystery Charleston to Fergie’s A Little
Party Never Killed Nobody. I’ve spent much of rehearsals upside down mastering the tricks and flips. Those swivelling feet are key! I’ve also been sitting with my foot on a bag of frozen peas having hurt it during the Jive. The plan is to keep calm and carry on dancing. There’s no one that isn’t suffering from one ailment or another.
We’ve also been rehearsing a special group routine. Learning steps with all the professional dancer’s eyes on you at once isn’t for the faint-hearted. This is the first show with two dances to learn, and a quick costume change – I’m playing an explorer in one number and a mischievous flapper in the next.
Saturday was an eventful night – pro dancer Johannes broke the internet strutting his stuff in three-inch-heeled black patent boots, Will Bayley had us all in tears with his incredibly brave contemporary routine, and it was wonderful having my friend Kitty Spencer in the audience. And now, my eldest son turns five on Saturday, which will make this week even more special. We are celebrating with a pirate party and he’s so excited about me dancing for Hallowe’en. As always I will be thinking of John and Henry when we head out to dance.
To get ourselves in the mood for
Hallowe’en, Aljaž and I went on the ghost tour of Longleat House which is renowned for being one of the most haunted sites in the UK. I also introduced him to one of our creepy crawlies – Chilli, an enormous Chilean rose tarantula, which he wasn’t so keen on as he hates spiders! Fingers crossed everyone enjoys our murderous Charleston – hopefully full of character and intrigue which will leave everyone wondering whodunit. Maybe it was Aljaž in the library with a candlestick..?
Strictly is on BBC One at 6.35pm on Saturday and 7.15pm on Sunday