Catherine Tyldesley thinks taking part in Strictly Come Dancing has helped her to combat her body insecurities.
The 35-year-old actress admits appearing on the BBC show has been a life-changing experience for her.
She explained to the Daily Star Sunday: “Ordinarily I completely shy away from having anybody looking at my body or anything like that. But the rehearsals we’ve been doing have been so much fun.
“Within an hour of the first day, I was thinking, ‘I don’t care what I look like, I’m just going for it … I’m a sweaty mess, I’m jiggling around all over the show, but you’ve just got to go for it.’
Read more: Stephen Fry reckons ‘cringeworthy’ Strictly is like “nails on a blackboard”
“This experience is almost a celebration of your body. That’s how I feel. I’ve shied away from stuff like this for so long, but I’m just going to enjoy myself and go with it.”
And according to Catherine, the show has already been a “liberating” experience.
The former Corrie fave is believed to have dropped six stone before being cast on the ITV soap.
Before that she has spoken about struggling with her weight – and being a size 22 in her teenage years.
Read more: Kevin Clifton reveals he was rejected from Strictly TWICE
She went on to tell the tabloid that ‘Fat Cath’ would never have been able to contemplate she could participate in the BBC One dance show.
The mum-of-one also admitted to still having “hang ups” about her body and fears wearing short outfits because of her “rugby player” legs.
Catherine recently shared a sweet video from her Strictly training sessions with fans on Instagram.
It showed her son Alfie being playfully swung around by pro partner Johannes Radebe.
View this post on InstagramDay 4… @johannesradebe finds a new partner! #Alfie 😍😍❤️❤️ @bbcstrictly #strictly
– Week one of the 2019 series Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One on Saturday at 7pm
Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think of this story.