STRICTLY Come Dancing is gearing up for its big return next month and will see 15 famous faces take to the dance floor.
But although the BBC show is a huge hit with fans, not all of its previous contestants have fond memories of their time on the telly competition.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor hasn’t spoken too positively about her time on Strictly Come Dancing
The pop singer took part in the show in 2013
Sophie Ellis-Bextor took part in Strictly in 2013 and she hasn’t spoken particularly positively about her experience.
The singer, who was partnered with professional dancer Brendan Cole, has even gone as far as to say it put a strain on her marriage.
Sophie’s is married to Richard Jones, a musician in the band The Feeling, and she said he “struggled” with her being on the show.
The star, 44, admitted during a previous interview on ITV1’s Lorraine that being separated from him gave them a “wobble” – and that he even had counselling to cope.
Sophie said: “Brendan was brilliant, because right from day one his bit of advice was to involve my friends and my family.
“Whenever they could, they would come along, but it’s a very intense experience and for Richard, he did struggle with it, which obviously in turn made me struggle.
“But he did get counselling and help and support, which allowed us both to enjoy it a lot more.”
She added: “I suppose, Strictly has got so much about it that is glorious and joyful, but I think if they just had a little bit more of emotional support it would have definitely improved my experience.”
Sophie went on to insist that she “loved” being on Strictly, however she has since claimed she was told she “wasn’t sexy” by show bosses.
She later said on the What If podcast: “You’ve been trying really hard so if they say, ‘Oh, that wasn’t very sexy’, well, was I being me?
“Or do I push it further? And if I do that, can I then go back to how I normally am?
“You know, there’s all these edges of yourself and how you present yourself. So once you put yourself in the hands of other people, it’s just about making sure you sleep well at night at the end of it, I guess.”
Sophie’s husband Richard Jones ‘struggled’ with her being on the show
The star told Lorraine that Richard had counselling after their marriage took a ‘wobble’
