MEET THE 2022 CELEBRITIES

JOHANNES RADEBE

STRICTLY COME DANCING PRO, 35

‘It was a wonderful surprise when I received the call asking me to take part. I thought, “Oh my goodness, I get to live my best life!” But I’m no sewer. I’d say I’m a five on a scale of one to 10. I did buy a sewing machine to practise on, though, and now I can’t switch it off!

‘As a young boy, making clothes for my dolls was my first passion. When I got into dancing, it was never about the dancing – it was the beautiful clothes they were wearing that caught my eye. So walking into the haberdashery with all those fabrics was paradise.

‘The Christmas apron Pattern Challenge eased us in gently – it’s going to my mama. But I was stressed making the fancy-dress outfit. I was a bit ambitious and chose to make a Harry Styles jumpsuit. I was sweating buckets to get it done! I had the best time ever. I’ll definitely be creating my costumes in future.’

NATALIE CASSIDY

EASTENDERS’ SONIA, 39

‘I’m left-handed and was always told I couldn’t do things, so when I was asked to take part, I thought, “I’m going to give it a go!”

‘It was like an Aladdin’s cave walking in the Sewing Room. I wasn’t nervous at all because it’s a Christmas special and it’s my favourite time of year. Plus my “rivals” are a lovely bunch.

‘I got a bum deal in the Transformation Challenge as I picked the pooh-y brown bag, instead of green, white or red. It wasn’t my best work!

‘There’s a fantastic moment at the end where we have a dance with Patrick dressed as Cher, and Esme as Sonny, and I’m proud to say I was whizzed around the Sewing Room floor by Johannes [Natalie came fifth on 2009’s series of Strictly]. I loved it all. Although I won’t be making myself a dress any time soon!’

PENNY LANCASTER

PRESENTER, 51

‘I couldn’t even sew on a button properly! If anyone needs an alteration, it goes to Auntie Mary – [my husband] Rod’s sister – who’s in her 90s. But I’d thrown myself into Celebrity Masterchef [in 2021], so I thought this couldn’t be as hard as cooking…

‘I made my festive apron with Rod in mind. I wanted to make it more rock ’n’ roll and found a silvery fabric so it looked frosty and – to add a little Rod – used leopard-print material as a fringe! He’ll be wearing it on Christmas Day. I sent him a photograph as he’s on tour in America, and he says he loves it!

‘The four of us had a lot of fun on this show; it didn’t feel particularly competitive, although Johannes probably was!

But, you know what? I actually made myself proud.’

ROSIE RAMSEY

PODCASTER, 35

‘A lot of my mam’s friends just can’t believe I’m doing this! It has such a huge fan base as Esme’s so snazzy and Patrick’s a bit of a heart-throb, isn’t he?

‘My sewing skills are pretty non-existent – I used to take stuff to my nana’s as she knew what she was doing – and I was really, really nervous going on the show as I’m one of those people who wants to do well, so I put pressure on myself.

‘The Made-to-measure Challenge was stressful – four hours went by in the click of a finger – but I was really chuffed with the Dolly Parton dress I made. Somebody actually wore a dress I made!

‘I’m dreading watching the show, though, as I’m one of those people who sticks their tongue out when concentrating – you’ll see me drooling all over the machine!’