Strictly Come Dancing contestant Maisie Smith has revealed that she burst into tears off-camera during a recent episode of the hit BBC dance competition.
The EastEnders actor was only just saved from elimination after being placed in the bottom two against The Wanted’s Max George during the 15 November results show.
In an interview with OK! Magazine, Smith, who is partnered with professional dancer Gorka Márquez, explained that the episode had taken more of a toll on her than people might realise.
“Some people have had it in their heads that because I’m a good dancer that I would be safe every week. But that’s so not the case,” the 19-year-old said.
“It was so, so scary. It wasn’t a nice feeling at all. You didn’t see it on camera, but as soon as I was saved, I just burst into tears... It knocked my confidence.”
While it was ultimately George who would be eliminated from the competition, along with dance partner Dianne Buswell, Smith and Marquez found themselves in the bottom two again during this Sunday’s (22 November) show.
This time, the judging panel voted unanimously to save the pair, with Caroline Quentin and Johannes Radebe instead leaving the competition.
“I’ve been trying so hard – we all have,” Smith said in the interview. “But I’ve had to keep reminding myself not to take it so personally.”
Strictly Come Dancing next airs at 7.15 on Saturday 28 November on BBC One.
