Kirsty Gallacher regrets ‘doing Strictly at the wrong time’ for heartbreaking reason

Kirsty Gallacher and her dance partner Brendan Cole
-Credit: (Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)


Former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Kirsty Gallacher shared the heartbreaking reason why she felt she competed in the show at the “wrong time”.

The former Sky Sports presenter competed in the hit BBC show in 2015 alongside professional dancer Brendan Cole. The pair were eliminated during week six.

Speaking on the Monday Mile podcast with Aimee Fuller, 48-year-old Kirsty admitted she wasn’t in the right frame of mind to take part in the show. That is because she had only recently split from her ex-husband, former England rugby player Paul Sampson, at the time.

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She said: “I did it at the wrong time, I was right in the midst of all my post-divorce, dealing with the changes. Not an easy time but I just thought, well, I would love to experience this and I was very grateful to be asked.

Kirstie Gallacher and Brendan Cole
Kirsty Gallacher was paired with Brendan Cole. -Credit:BBC

“I was paired with Brendan Cole who is a really good mate of mine. He’s like my big brother. He knew how tough it was going to be for me mentally and physically, and he was incredible.

“I knew I wouldn’t do brilliantly, I knew I wasn’t in the place. I was better at all the lifts and stuff because I think I’m sporty.

“I loved it, I really, really loved it, everyone was gorgeous. I really loved it, I enjoyed it, I was proud of being in for about six weeks.”

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Kirsty says if she had the opportunity to compete in the show now, she would “grab it with both hands”, whereas, at the time, she “grabbed it with one little finger”. She added: “I would now be like, ‘oh my gosh, what a great opportunity, yes come on’.”

The Smooth Radio presenter says she is “so excited” to watch the current series of Strictly, and would “love” to get the chance to take part again.

The new series of Strictly is currently airing on BBC One on Saturdays. This week saw Olympic swimmer Tom Dean and partner Nadiya Bychkova eliminated first after losing the dreaded dance-off to Toyah Willcox and her pro partner Neil Jones.

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