Vicky Pattison on All Things Strictly Come Dancing
Geordie TV personality, podcaster and radio host Vicky Pattison is competing for the Glitterball trophy on this year's Strictly Come Dancing
There are two key events that start our countdown to Christmas – one is Living North’s Christmas Fair and the other is Strictly Come Dancing, where for this (the 23rd) series, one celebrity and their pro partner will lift the Glitterball trophy on Saturday 20th December. Vicky isn’t the only northern contestant in this year’s competition as she joins Teesside Drag Queen (and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK runner-up) La Voix and Emmerdale star Lewis Cope from Hartlepool.
We catch up with Vicky whilst she’s in training for her first dance, and thank her for taking time out to chat. ‘Let me tell you, I was pleased for the break,’ she laughs. Since first appearing on our screens on Geordie Shore in 2011, Vicky has had her own MTV show, won the 15th series of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, was a panelist for Loose Women, and is now a radio presenter for Heart. She also co-hosts the podcast Get A Grip alongside Strictly alumni Angela Scanlon.
But why was now the time to take on Strictly Come Dancing? ‘This is the first time they’ve asked me! Nobody knocks my door down,’ Vicky laughs. ‘I’ve got to plug away and I’m happy to do that – I’m a grafter. Coming from where I’m from in quite a controversial reality TV show, there’s been some doors closed, maybe understandably so and maybe not. It’s not for me to make that decision but I’ve spent the last 10 years of my life trying to change people’s opinion of me and prove to people who potentially underestimated me that I can be capable of other things, whether it’s radio presenting, TV presenting, podcasting, winning the [I’m a Celeb] jungle, or doing Strictly.
‘This is the first time I’ve been asked and honestly I thought I was just going to have a meeting and they’d say “maybe next year” so I couldn’t believe it when I got the call. My agent rang and said “you’ve got Strictly” and I never thought it was going to happen so I was so shocked! Saying I had no choice is hyperbolic, but it’s something that’s been on my vision board for years. Something I’ve watched friends of mine do and love and enjoy, and something I used to watch and enjoy with my grandma and the rest of my family. It’s a proper dream come true. But now I’m in it, it’s a real baptism of fire!’
Despite her nerves, Vicky appears her usual optimistic self, and speaks positively about the training process. ‘The celebs, pros and the crew are so lovely,’ she says. ‘It’s like one great big family and I know that sounds so cheesy and so cliché, and people would much prefer it if I was like “we’re all dying to win and we hate each other” but it’s not the craic at all. I was really nervous in the first week. I’ve only ever gone off my food three times in my life – I’m a top scranner. One was a bad break up, the second one was Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins (there was no way I was scranning porridge with Ant Middleton breathing down my neck; I was terrified), and the third one has been the Strictly launch show week.
‘It’s been super intense but all the gorgeous people have just understood my personality so quickly. There’s a myriad of people. Some are really throwing themselves into it, having the best time and enjoying it and there’s some better dancers than others so obviously they’re not feeling the pressure as much, and for someone like me who’s a nervous novice, they just got my energy straight away. I’m obsessed with everybody and they’ve just been so gracious with me as I deal with these nerves.’
It’s no secret that Strictly requires a lot of hard work and Vicky is determined to give it her all. ‘I’m from the North East – mining stock – I am a hard worker, but this is next level,’ she adds. ‘I think the last time I opened myself up to this much scrutiny was in the jungle and I was just in there in my nice little bubble, eating kangaroo balls and laughing with Ant and Dec – I didn’t know what Sharon in Surrey, and Dave in Barnsley, or anyone else thought of me. That was actually a blessing; I underestimated how good that was. Here I’m dealing with learning something new which is terrifying, the prospect of being really rubbish (which is a genuinely concerning reality for me), and also what everyone is going to think and say about me. There’s loads going on in my head and on top of my hard work physically, I’m wrestling with my emotions and my confidence. I am a bit overwhelmed at the moment but I am loving it as well!’
On Saturday 20th September viewers tuned in to BBC One to find out which professional dancers this year’s 15 celebrities have been paired with in the pre-filmed launch show, and Vicky is excited about her pairing. Kai Widdrington has won the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special twice, and seems equally excited about the pairing. ‘I am obsessed with my partner,’ says Vicky. ‘I love him so much. He’s so nice and perfect for me. He’s calm, patient, a good teacher, great at choreography and a nice bloke. I think I needed that. Looking at all the pairings, I think Strictly matched us all really well energy-wise.’
Although Vicky says the launch show’s group dance terrified her, she says Kai supported her throughout. ‘When I’m in the training room with Kai, I feel more confident and comfortable, like I could actually get it,’ she explains. ‘My first dance is hard but I’ve been speaking to all the other celebs and none of us are West End stars. Regardless of the dance, I think each one has its own hurdles. I’m throwing myself into it. I’m really trying.’ She’ll continue with her podcast recordings, radio show and other commitments but is dedicating as much time as possible to training. ‘I know I’m not going to be good, but I just really don’t want to embarrass myself and I want to enjoy it,’ adds Vicky. ‘I think if I know it and I’m confident, I will enjoy it – that’s where my head’s at.’
Many of Vicky’s celebrity friends have taken on Strictly in the past so she’s had plenty of people to call on for good advice. ‘Everyone’s been so lovely which fills me full of joy,’ she says. ‘It’s this gorgeous show and everyone has lovely feelings about it even afterwards, which I think is as really good sign. Pete [Wicks] has been his typical self. He was like “you’re not going to win because you’re a good dancer, what’s going to keep you in the competition is being a nice person”. He said “just be yourself, I fell in love with you for who you are, and hopefully everyone else will as well”. So I’m taking his advice. Angela [Scanlon], my podcast co-host and friend, did fantastically. She was a phenomenal dancer, and she’s been giving me more practical advice about my posture and putting surgical spirit on my feet to toughen them up because they are already in bits. Ruth Langsford told me to buy a magnesium body lotion. Ore [Oduba – series 14 winner] told me to throw myself into it. Sara Davies has been desperate to get a FaceTime in with us but she’s just such a busy woman. She said “I just want you to enjoy it because I know you’ll get in your own head”. We did the Arctic [Snow Going Back: Comic Relief vs The Arctic challenge] together a few years ago and she knows how cruel my brain can be to me sometimes. We’re all our own worst critics aren’t we? So she’s just wanting to look after me emotionally. Honestly, everybody’s been fab. I’ve got the best little support structure and community around me, it’s been so nice.’
Win or lose, Vicky remains passionate and positive and hopes to continue inspiring others too. ‘I’m really passionate about women being the best versions of themselves, being unapologetically them and embracing exactly who they are, whether its their lumps, their bumps or their vulnerabilities,’ she says. ‘I talk quite openly on my Instagram about my struggle and my journey to accepting myself just the way I am. I think it’s really hard. Society absolutely conditions you to hate yourself, so to just let go, be who you are and be kinder to yourself is a bit of an act of rebellion in itself. I champion that. But also both sides of the coin! It’s so lovely to be glamorous and Strictlyfied one minute, but trust me I look like a thumb in rehearsals,’ she laughs, ‘and I’m fine with that too!’
