Strictly host Tess Daly has defended Ashley Roberts’ previous dance experience – insisting she trains “as hard, if not harder” than the other contestants.
The presenter has leapt to the former Pussycat Dolls singer’s defence after she came under fire from several of the show’s fans because she has previously danced on stage as a pop star.
Read more: Strictly’s Ashley Roberts ‘fears she will face every dance off now’
But Tess insists Latin and ballroom techniques are “very different” to the girl band’s routines.
During an appearance on Lorraine on Thursday, the 49-year-old said: “She’s got experience in a girl band dancing as a pop star. But ballroom dancing is a very different discipline.
“You never saw the Pussycat Dolls doing a Viennese Waltz, for example. It demands a different set of skills.
“She trains as hard, if not harder than anyone else. She’s in the studio 12 hours a day, they all are.”
Ashley, who avoided awkward questions about her dance experience on spin-off show It Takes Two, took to Instagram to insist the dancing show had been life changing for her.
She revealed: “When I got asked to do Strictly, I remember my heart feeling like it was going to burst.
“This has been a very turbulent year for me, and so being a part of Strictly has been healing on so many levels.
“I often find it hard to be vulnerable and share my highs and lows, as I’ve always learned how to keep going, chin up and stay on my game.”
Read more: Strictly Come Dancing announces major change at the top next year
Meanwhile, Tess says she has been really impressed with the talent on this year’s Strictly, particularly Joe Sugg and Stacey Dooley, who didn’t have any dancing experience, but admits the contestants are facing “a lot of pressure” on Saturday’s semi-final.
She said: “It’s so much fun, I’m loving it. This year has been fantastic. They’ve surprised us with their ability.
“The novices are almost as good as their professional partners now.
“Joe and Stacey have never danced before – they’re in the semi-final. They’re dancing twice on Saturday – they’ve had to learn two dances in a week. It’s a lot of pressure on Saturday.”
Read more: Fans suggest Tess Daly employ Holly Willoughby stylist after wearing “awful” Strictly dress
Tess is also a huge fan of co-hosting the show alongside Claudia Winkleman, and admits it doesn’t feel like work when she is presenting alongside her pal.
Speaking on Lorraine, she added: “Its’ brilliant fun, we get on so well. It’s not like work when you’re working with your friend. You don’t have to fake any chemistry.
“It’s great to be standing by her side. We just have a giggle.”
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