Strictly Come Dancing contestant Alex Kingston has moved viewers with a raw and heartfelt admission about the intense physical strain the competition is placing on her body.
A Candid Confession on the Dance Floor
The acclaimed actress, known for her roles in ER and Doctor Who, found herself at the centre of attention for her honesty rather than her Cha Cha on Saturday night. Dancing with professional partner Johannes Radebe to Anita Ward's 'Ring My Bell', the pair scored a disappointing 23 points, with judge Craig Revel Horwood awarding a mere four.
This performance came just a week before the crucial quarter final and followed Kingston's recent revelation about her cancer diagnosis and gruelling treatment. Stepping before the judges, a self-aware Kingston admitted she had been 'all over the place' and knew 'exactly what they're going to say'.
Judges' Verdict and Physical Struggles
The judges' feedback was blunt. Motsi Mabuse referenced a recent rib injury Kingston sustained in training, stating, 'One mistake I can forgive, two mistakes I'll look the other way, three mistakes I am not Mother Christmas.'
Head judge Shirley Ballas conceded 'it just wasn't your night', while Craig Revel Horwood critiqued the performance as two separate dances that 'just got worse and worse and worse.' A defeated-looking Kingston agreed completely with their assessment.
It was in conversation with host Claudia Winkleman, however, that the actress delivered her most poignant remarks. She confessed to 'really suffering' and shed light on the unseen physical demands of the competition.
The Unseen Toll on Dancers' Bodies
'This is the time to talk to the public actually about where we're at as competitive dancers in this,' Kingston explained. 'It's never really discussed when you're at the sharp end how your bodies are really suffering.'
She vividly described the conflict within her, saying, 'My 62-year-old self is saying 'What are you putting me through?' But my spirit and my soul is going (fingers in ears) I don't want to know, I want to keep dancing.'
Kingston concluded by acknowledging the shared experience of physical strain, noting that the professional dancers understood her 'physical problems and fatigue', but emphasised that 'it's still a competition.'
Fans on social media platform X were quick to applaud her honesty and resilience. One supporter wrote: 'Such an honest statement by Alex Kingston... she’s already won life by beating cancer.' Another added, 'I think everyone, especially Alex, should be incredibly proud of how well she has done.'
