BBC Breakfast star Sally Nugent fears she's 'too shy' for Strictly Christmas Special

Virgin Radio

18 Dec 2023, 12:17

BBC Breakfast star Sally Nugent, known for her journalistic prowess, has decided to step out of her comfort zone and embrace the dance floor on this year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special.

The 52-year-old presenter, who has always harboured reservations about dancing on the iconic show, confessed to feeling 'too shy' in the past but chose to be 'brave' and accept the festive challenge on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special.

In an interview with the PA news agency, Nugent shared her journey from apprehension to anticipation as she prepares to showcase her dance moves alongside professional dancer Graziano Di Prima on Christmas Day.

Nugent candidly revealed: "I decided to do the Christmas special because I’ve always been a little bit nervous about Strictly, just a bit too shy to do it really. Lots of people in my job do say yes to Strictly and have an amazing experience, but I’d always kind of run away from it because I was scared."

The turning point came when the call from Strictly Come Dancing arrived, catching Nugent in the company of her girlfriends.

Recounting the moment, she said: "The lady from Strictly said to me, ‘Would you please like to learn a foxtrot with Graziano Di Prima for Christmas?’ I repeated this to my friends, and they all went, ‘Yes!’"

As Nugent dives into the rigorous training process, she humorously shared the challenges she and Graziano have encountered.

"Poor Graziano has started from scratch with me. The first couple of days here – I’m not joking – he had to teach me how to take steps forward, and then he spent two more days teaching me how to take steps backward."

Elaborating on the intricacies of their routine, she confessed: "Because it’s a foxtrot, you go backward…every time I would go backward, I would fall over. I couldn’t even get my balance."

Despite the initial hurdles, Nugent expressed her excitement about the upcoming performance.

"We are flying. It’s so far out of my comfort zone. I can’t even believe I’m gonna do it. But I love it."

Nugent is not alone in this festive dance extravaganza, joined by other notable personalities, including Tillie Amartey, Jamie Borthwick, Dan Snow, Keisha Buchanan, and Danny Cipriani.

As they compete in a winter wonderland-themed ballroom, the celebrities aim to dazzle judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, and head judge Shirley Ballas, hoping to claim the coveted title of Strictly Christmas champion for 2023.

This Christmas, viewers can anticipate a delightful blend of courage, humour, and impressive dance moves as Sally Nugent takes on the Strictly stage, leaving her shy reservations behind for a moment of festive dance magic.

The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on December 25 from 4.40pm.