IT is often a shock when celebrities suddenly find themselves sprayed orange and squeezed into a skimpy outfit for Strictly.
But for proud Geordie it is not a problem, because that is how she has spent most Saturday nights since she was as a teenager.
Vicky Pattison says that getting dolled up for Strictly is the least of her worries on the show
Former Geordie Shore star Vicky says the show’s tanning and glamour makes her feel at home
Vicky says she feels like she has the weight of the world on her shoulders with high expectations on the show
For the TV star, getting dolled up to the nines every weekend is not being Strictlyfied, it is just being a lass from .
Vicky, 37, said: “Everybody knows I’m super nervous about this entire process, I’m just a gobby girl from the north east doing her best.
“The dancing, the being out my comfort zone, learning something new, being judged by the public is also terrifying.
“But the one element that made me feel really excited and I had no reservations about at all was definitely being Strictlyfied.
“I’m sorry but the tan, the , the glam! I’ve been preparing for this for like 25 years.
“Like, I didn’t even have to change my fake tan routine at all — this girl was ready.”
Although Vicky, who is partnered on this series with pro , admits she likes a party her blind spot is actually the dancing.
She said: “I’ve joked that this is the first time I’ve danced sober but it’s probably not that far from the truth.
“You normally see me at people’s parties at the bar or chewing someone’s ear off in the kitchen. Definitely the last place you’d find me is on the dance floor.
“Everyone is gonna think I’m a novice — and they’d be right. But I am ready for a challenge and desperate to prove myself and some people wrong along the way.”
‘Reality TV scum’
Vicky admits people constantly underestimate her and in the 14 years since she shot to fame on series , has always been a bit of an underdog.
It was something Vicky, who last year married fashion brand , faced when she was a contestant on a decade ago.
Cynics would do well to remember she won that contest after a substantial public vote.
She said: “Winning the jungle was the best moment of my life, maybe tied with the day that I got married to Ercan.
“Everybody just wanted us out initially. Obviously I was in there and in me bubble and I’m actually really grateful for that, you know.
“But I learned afterwards everyone was like: ‘Get her out. We don’t want her in here. Reality TV scum blah, blah, blah.’
Vicky emerged as the winner on ITV’s ‘I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!’ I’ve joked that this is the first time I’ve danced sober but it’s probably not that far from the truth. You normally see me at people’s parties at
the bar . . . not on the dancefloor
“I don’t know what they thought I was gonna do like, go in there and down a Jaegerbomb and punch a kangaroo or something?
“I just wanted a chance to prove myself, to show people that I could be something different than what they’ve seen before.
“I just want to put my best SELF forward and within about 24 hours I was the favourite to win. I’m so proud of me achievement there.
“This is a very different ball game. I’m totally aware of that. But, like I say, I have always been the underdog and if people wanna get behind us, that is really nice.”
Although the public have yet to be fully won over by her dance on last week’s first live show, she finished in fifth place on the scoreboard — which is pretty impressive given she is one of 15 celebrities competing.
Meanwhile bookies have her as favourite to win at 5/1, ahead of West End star and ex-footballer Karen Carney whose sensational jive saw her top the scoreboard last week.
Vicky said: “I can’t believe anyone would have us down as favourite in the lasses to win. I mean, have you seen the women in this competition? They’re all incredible.
“Amber’s amazing, did you see Kaz Carney’s jive on Saturday night? I mean, come on, that’s my winner right there!
“Bal is beautiful inside and out and just has so much rhythm. Alex is so theatrical and emotional when she dances it’s so beautiful.
“Ellie’s energy is infectious, just don’t even get us started on La Voix, you can’t look anywhere else when she’s on the stage.
“Maybe there’s a mistake there with those odds.”
Despite being up against the likes of Amber, who has and stage show Back To The Future, plus Lewis Cope who was in the stage version of Billy Elliot, she feels no resentment.
Instead she adopts a more philosophical approach to the issue which pops up each series.
I don’t know what people thought I was gonna do in the jungle . . . like go in and down a Jaegerbomb
and punch a kangaroo?
Vicky said: “Every year Strictly has people of different abilities, doesn’t it? Some people who have never danced before, totally inexperienced, and some people maybe did ballet before as kids, some people a bit more.
“I don’t think it’s a big problem.It’s part and parcel and there’s loads of different styles of dance isn’t there?
“Just because someone’s experienced in one, doesn’t mean they’re experienced in another.
“Also, I do think it’s nice for the viewers at home that they get to watch some really good dancers early doors, like you know when maybe the rest of us are just learning. There is some still really brilliant performances to watch and everyone goes on a journey.”
Vicky says marrying husband Ercan Ramadan was one of the best days of her life
Vicky sees her journey continuing after she has completed Strictly, whether that is after this weekend’s first eviction, or after potentially making her way to the final.
But she admits wherever her career goes, it won’t be in dance.
She said: “I honestly haven’t thought past getting through the first week.
“Like if I managed to stay in on Saturday I’ll be shocked and over the moon.
“I certainly haven’t got any on being a West End star or, you know, pivoting into the world of performing. There’s far more deserving and better people than me. I’m a big fan of Strictly, I’ve watched it since I was a kid.
“I watched it with me grandma — it was me grandma’s favourite. I think that’s why I’m doing it, great big tick off the bucket list.
“But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hoping it would take us to different opportunities.
“The is British institution, it’s a great channel. I would love to make more TV with them so, yeah, maybe I am hoping it will lead to more things but probably not in the dance space to be totally honest.”
Vicky and Kai will be dancing a foxtrot to the track Rein Me In tonight, which has special meaning as its by who she describes as “a Geordie legend.”
She added: “I feel like I’ve got the weight of the world on my shoulders trying to do, like, all the Northeast proud, Ercan proud, Kai proud, myself and my family proud.
“I’m absolutely terrified. Everyone keeps saying like, ‘Oh do you feel a bit better now you’ve got the first show and the first live dance done?’ I’m like, no I’m not.
“I’m still nervous. I can actually go home you know. It’s just like we’re dancing for fun. It’s not even a pre-record, we’re live and I’m just not ready.
“I’m not ready to say goodbye to people. I’m not ready for this journey to be over so I actually feel sick to my stomach about it.
“By nature, I’m not a very confident person, despite appearances.”
- Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One today at 6.20pm.
