Strictly Come Dancing star Judi Love has spilled on what she thinks new judge Anton du Beke is going to be like ahead of her stint on the show.
The Loose Women star is one of 15 celebrities preparing to take to the dancefloor, and she’s also admitted that training is already pretty difficult, even before the series has kicked off.
The stars will all take to the floor the first time on Saturday night as they find out who they will be partnered with this year.
Ahead of the series launch, contestants have been getting to grips with dance training, with it being the first time many of them have tried out the skill.
While it’s an exciting time for them all, comic Judi has confessed that she’s already finding the training gruelling.
Asked how she’s finding it so far, she told Metro.co.uk and other press: ‘Oh, man, it’s definitely the hardest physical work I’ve done in a long time. Without a doubt!’
Judi has been trying several different ways to prepare for the competition and sees the process of more a mental challenge than a physical one.
‘I’ve just been stretching, been swimming a few times and just preparing myself on my mind really.
‘This is more about a mind shift than your physicality, but your mentality, because to push yourself further, that has to be checked, as well.
‘So, I’ve been really pushing my mind on stamina. It’s been really hard but I’ve got to push past it,’ she explained.
Judi went on to give her thought’s on this year’s new face on the judging panel, Strictly legend and long-time professional dancer Anton.
Asked what she thought his judging style would be like, she responded: ‘Well he’s an experienced dancer, he knows what he’s doing, and he knows what he’s looking for.
‘I think that you’re always going to get great information about [your dancing] and he’s always going to give you something… kind of good criticism?
‘Because he’s a professional at it, like the rest of them.
‘He’s got a nice warm character about him. I think his delivery will be about helping you learn more than to tear you down,’ Judi predicted.
Anton featured on the panel last year as a stand-in for Bruno Tonioli, as the ongoing pandemic meant he was unable to travel between the US and the UK as he also had commitments to Dancing With The Stars.
Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday at 7:45pm on BBC One.
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