Strictly Come Dancing’s Fleur East to release first single in two years 

Virgin Radio

20 Dec 2022, 10:03

Days after leaving the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom for the last time, Fleur East has revealed she’ll be heading back into the recording studio. 

The last time Fleur last appeared in the charts was in 2020, when she  released her second album, Fearless, on her own independent record label.

Announcing her musical comeback via Instagram, Fleur captioned a 70s-inspired snap with: “BIG NEWS I’m so excited to tell you all that my new single “Count The Ways” will be out on the 27th January 2023!

“I can’t wait to share this with you to thank you for all of your support.”

In addition to her exciting post, the Sax hitmaker also confirmed she’ll be hitting the stage in 2023, with a “special headline gig” in March. 

Quick to share his support, Fleur’s Strictly dance partner Vito Coppola commented underneath her post: “YES PARTNEEEEEEEER 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼 Cannot wait for it.”

In a statement (via The Mirror), Fleur credited her time on Strictly with giving her “the buzz of performing,” and after cancelling her last musical venture due to the pandemic, and sadly losing her dad, she revealed she was “finding her stride again and getting back into music.”

Earlier this year, Fleur let it slip to virginardio.co.uk that she’d been dipping in and out of the studio between Strictly rehearsals. 

In an exclusive interview, the singer-songwriter revealed she found “so much” musical inspiration from the competition, adding: “I've actually recorded some music in between I don't know how I've even had time but a few little sessions and I've got some...I played [Vito] some of my new stuff.

Pro-partner Vito then added: “I don't know where she finds the energy. When do you sleep? Because sometimes I take a nap…she doesn't even take that kind of power nap. She wakes up every morning at 4am and she's doing the album and the new songs and Strictly and handling me!”

Prior to Strictly, Fleur came in second place on The X Factor before landing a record deal and releasing her debut album, Love, Sax and Flashbacks, in 2015.

Speaking previously to virginardio.co.uk, the performer revealed that her experience on stage could actually be more of a hindrance than a help. 

When asked what the biggest challenge on Strictly has been so far, Fleur told virginradio.co.uk: “It's unlearning everything that I know to be honest. I've never had any dance training, I haven't been to stage school. Everything I've learned singing, it's just from watching or just winging it and just doing what I feel.”

Fleur’s upcoming single, Count The Ways, will be available to buy on 27th January 2023.