Dame Sarah Story has admitted she is prepared for the “honest and brutal feedback” when begins competing Strictly Come Dancing – but not from the judges
Dame Sarah Storey says she is prepared ‘brutal and honest’ feedback on Strictly (Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston)
When it comes to sport, there’s not much anyone could teach Dame Sarah Storey. After all, with an astonishing 30 gold medals to her name, the swimmer and cyclist is Britain’s most successful Paralympian of all time.
But when she takes to the floor later this month, it’ll be her teenage daughter Louisa’s words of wisdom that prove most valuable.
“My daughter is a very talented dancer and ballerina,” Dame Sarah, 48, says. “I know I’ll be getting the most honest and brutal feedback.” Louisa, 13, was performing in the English Youth Ballet’s production of Swan Lake when it was announced that Dame Sarah would be taking part in Strictly, after years of having to turn it down due to competing.
“I got a knock on the door of the dressing room I was looking after and when I opened it the company and crew were jumping up and down with excitement,” she says.
“My daughter said: ‘finally!’ Then My Dad offered to teach me to dance, which is hilarious as no one has ever seen him even do a dad dance!
“It is a show I have wanted to do for a long time but every other year I have been competing in the autumn and so couldn’t ever say yes. Now I have stepped down from competition, it was the perfect time.”
And Dame Sarah, who also shares an eight year-old son, Charlie, with husband Barney, can’t wait to show off her fun side, after years focusing on gruelling, elite competition.
“My dance skills are limited, but I am looking forward to getting into my glittery and fake tan era,” she says, adding that her dream song to dance to would be a Take That or Kylie hit.
“It’s completely out of my comfort zone to be on national TV doing a competition I know nothing about,” she adds. “But that’s one of the reasons I am so excited too.”
Having recently retired from sport, Sarah spoke enthusiastically of her new opportunity when it was announced she had signed up for Strictly.
She said: “Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting. I have always loved watching Strictly and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world, is incredibly motivating! I can’t wait to get started!”
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