Strictly Come Dancing star Vanessa Feltz has revealed that she fantasised about falling 'deeply in love' with her professional partner before was forced to give herself a stern talking to.
The TV star, 60, took part in the BBC One competition back in 2013, and during her stint on the famous dance floor, Vanessa found herself growing increasingly fond of her handsome dance partner, James Jordan.
Vanessa said that she found it easy to 'blur the lines' between reality and the show during her time on Strictly Come Dancing, and although James was happily married to his wife and fellow Strictly star Ola at the time, Vanessa couldn't help but garner strong feelings for her hunky dance partner.
The loved-up star, who recently became engaged to her long-term partner, Ben Ofoedu, found herself 'falling' for James while on the show.
Sharing her thoughts on the dreaded Strictly curse, Vanessa told: "You do find yourself falling. I think romantic dances are the problem.
"You're being whirled around in a beautiful gown, and your dance partner is staring into your eyes and leading you around the floor in a way you wished. You suddenly feel very emotional and moved - it's not acting, it's all very real," she told Closer.
Although Vanessa got swept up in the romance of Strictly, she still had some self-awareness, and in the end, she was forced to give herself a harsh 'talking to' in order to snap out of her fantasises.
"I gave myself a stern talking to. I looked at Ola at thought it's not like I stood a chance anyway," Vanessa joked.
"It's the professional's job to be kind and charming. James is a very nice person, but you can't take it as a personal love letter."
The former Strictly star went on to admit that the experience of 'falling' for James made her realise how lucky she was in her relationship with new fiancée, Ben.
While other contestants found their partners to be jealous, Ben was overwhelmingly supportive of Vanessa while she was on Strictly.
"It did make me realise I was very lucky," the star shared.
Vanessa - who is ten years old than Ben - added that 'age is not an issue' in her relationship and both stars make the effort to keep their romance going.
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