Nicola Roberts has opened up about her experience on Strictly Come Dancing days before viewers are set to see her efforts in a festive edition of the BBC show.
The Girls Aloud star has been partnered with pro Giovanni Pernice and will take to the dancefloor for this year's Strictly Christmas special, which is set to air on Christmas Day. EastEnders icon Larry Lamb, CBeebies presenter George Webster, Coronation Street actress Alexandra Mardell, DJ Rickie Haywood-Williams, and Tyneside's own Rosie Ramsey will also be putting their dance shoes on for the yuletide special.
Nicola's former bandmates Cheryl, Kimberley Walsh and Nadine Coyle reunited to cheer Nicola on from the audience when the special was filmed earlier this month. And while the 37-year-old singer said that she had had a "great time" dancing, she admitted that she had struggled to perfect her routine.
READ MORE: Strictly's Gorka Marquez shares sweet family update after final defeat and tour 'split'
"My process is quite slow," Nicola shared. "When you’re in a band you have weeks to perfect a two hour show, so there’ll be certain numbers that you pick up quickly or the numbers that might take a good couple of weeks to really sink in, and that’s my process, that’s how I’ve learned over the years.
"Obviously, with Strictly you don’t have the luxury of having time," she added. "It wasn’t until after the fourth session that I felt like we were in a good space."
Nicola admitted that she had been quite tough on herself when it came to the festive special. "Before that I was beating myself up and not understanding the routine, not grasping the technical aspects, and the position is still not there every time and it’s a lot to think about," she said.
"So it’s been very fast, but I like to be professional and I like to do a good job, and I’ve had a great time!"
Nicola also opened up about her time as one fifth of one of the most iconic pop groups as she compared her Strictly stint to her experience in Girls Aloud. "I spent a long time in a girl band where I was girl band-ified for a long time, and then you step out of that world and you learn how to be you without of all of that," she said.
"And now I’m back in the machine just for a couple of weeks where I’m being plied with glitter and sequined dresses and dressed as Santa’s helper, and I said I wanted fun and it has been fun."
Speaking of her fellow Christmas special contestants, Nicola said: "I haven’t seen anyone else’s dances but I think we’re all coming at it from different backgrounds. It’s very hard to be competitive for a show like this, especially when everyone’s so lovely, and it’s the Christmas special and it’s a bit of fun."
But her partner Giovanni disagreed. "I’m feeling competitive, I want to win!" he said. "There are a lot of good dancers as well, and it’s going to be fun!"
READ NEXT:
This Morning's Josie Gibson starts show with sad update on co-host Craig Doyle
Love Island, Matt Hancock and Richard Madeley in list of most complained about TV moments in 2022
GMB's Kate Garraway 'shamed' by bosses live on air after 'horrifying' them with Christmas remark
Alesha Dixon to 'take over' TV as she lands big BBC and ITV roles for Christmas and New Year
