Rumours about the hotly anticipated Strictly Come Dancing final have been flying around faster than a stiletto on a dancefloor.
The latest gossip has suggested that one finalist might not even be able to compete in the final after being struck down with an illness.
Debbie McGee has admitted she’s been exhausted after contracting a bug that has made her “feel like a zombie”.
“I am now more tired than I have been in any other week. The pressure is much heavier.
“On Tuesday I was like a zombie. I was brain dead and physically washed out,” she told the Daily Star.
However, after some more digging, a representative for the dancer poured cold water on fears it would impact on her weekend performances.
The rep told The Express: “Debbie has been under the weather this week but it will not affect her appearing in the final this weekend.”
That’s a relief!
Debbie, 59, has also suffered from back problems throughout the series and has been trying to fit in her punishing dance training with professional partner Giovanni Pernice alongside rehearsing to appear in panto over Christmas.
During an interview on Radio 2 this week, she told Sara Cox that it’s not just catching the flu that’s derailed her training.
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She said: “I haven’t been very well, I’ve had what everyone else has got. So we have had less time. Then I got snowed in at the hotel on Sunday so we missed the whole day then as well.”
Debbie has previously admitted that being much older than her partner Giovanni 27, has made it difficult for her to match his energy in training.
But you’d never know when they hit the dancefloor on a Saturday night, with Debbie being a favourite to win because she’s achieved top marks in the past.
In the final, she will repeat her salsa that wowed the judges as well as performing a show dance to One Day I’ll Fly Away.
They will also reprise another routine of their choice from the series – but that dance hasn’t been revealed yet.
Magician’s assistant, Debbie, who was married to Paul Daniels, will face Joe McFadden, Gemma Atkinson and Alexandra Burke in the final.
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Ever the professional, she knows the show must go on, so we’re sure she’ll give her her all no matter how tired she’s feeling.
She’s also revealed that she’s not ready to hang up her dancing shoes after the final and will be joining the Strictly UK tour in 2018.
Phew – this series of Strictly has certainly had its share of ups and downs.
We can’t believe that it’ll all be over after this weekend!