Ashley Roberts, who competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2018, admitted she felt nervous to return to the training room but she quickly remembered her iconic Jive steps
Ashley Roberts has admitted she felt “so nervous” while preparing for her Strictly Come Dancing return this weekend – but said dancing the Jive once again felt pretty natural.
The 44-year-old singer has joined forces with former Strictly contestants Danny Mac, Jay McGuiness and Layton Williams for a special routine with the show’s professional dancers for this year’s Blackpool Specials. Ashley was on Strictly in 2018 and was paired with Pasha Kovalev on the show.
The pair were never in the dance-off and finished in second place, behind winners Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton. Ashley said returning to the show has been “wild” as she reflected: “It’s been seven years since I did Strictly now and I can’t believe I’m now back. Blackpool is the marker, right? Everybody wants to get there. It’s truly legendary and iconic.”
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Looking back at her own journey on the dancing competition, Ashley said Blackpool was “a huge night” for her as it marked the first time she received 10s from the judges. At the time, she danced a Jive to Shake Ya Tail Feather by The Blues Brothers, a routine which even featured fish and chips, which she described as a “stand out” moment.
“There are a few dances that are just stapled in my memory as my favourite moments, and that is absolutely one of them,” Ashley said. The former Pussycat Dolls star also shared some tips for Strictly stars, saying: “I walked in thinking I can do this.
“And it soon became very clear that it is much harder than you anticipate it to be. The schedule is tough, the dancing and everything is tough on the body, so you’ve got to just enjoy it and soak it up. Also, have a wee before you get sewn into your costume!”
The singer added that while she felt “so nervous” to return to the training room, she eventually “got there” and dancing just came naturally to her again. “It was stored in the memory with a lot of cobwebs around it that we needed to clean out, but it was in there somewhere,” she shared.
She also said that anyone visiting Blackpool cannot miss out on fish and chips, adding that drag shows in the city are pretty iconic, too. This weekend’s special routine from previous contestants includes Jay and Ashley’s Jives, Danny’s iconic Samba, and Layton’s Quickstep.
Ashley previously said of her return to Strictly: “I’m so excited and grateful to be back on the shiny floor in Blackpool again. Nearly a decade later, let’s see if these Jive legs can still do their thing! Sequins always help, I’m sure.”
Danny added: “Dancing in Blackpool was an absolute highlight of my time on Strictly. To be heading back up to The Tower Ballroom once again is as thrilling as it is terrifying, but I can’t wait to be reunited with all the wonderful people who make this show.”
Jay shared: “I feel extremely lucky to be part of the Strictly alumni that are going to shake our booties again. I’m ready to have some fun with the old gang and the new gang.” Layton said: “I’m absolutely buzzing to be back on THE most iconic dance floor there is. Blackpool brings back so many fab memories and it’s a true honour to be invited back… Let’s hope I’ve still got it, eh?!”
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