Latest news with #ex-Strictly
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Strictly star in floods of tears on Sunday Brunch as she admits 'I didn't want to quit'
Strictly star in floods of tears on Sunday Brunch as she admits 'I didn't want to quit' The Strictly finalist was emotional as she appeared on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch. Former Strictly finalist Maisie Smith couldn't contain her emotions when she was unexpectedly shown footage on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch. The 24-year-old had triumphed in Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins back in 2022, but had seemingly forgotten just how punishing the ordeal had been - and she simply couldn't hold back her tears. Maisie confessed to hosts Simon Rimmer and Tim Lovejoy that the programme had been physically draining, explaining there was absolutely no respite. She confirmed that producers wouldn't permit the contestants any downtime even when filming had stopped, before acknowledging: "It was just so intense." She also remembered being compelled "to carry 20kg of sand" in her rucksack for every challenge - a requirement that applied to all participants. The former EastEnders actress revealed this proved especially tough for her as she was lugging "almost double" her body weight each time, reports the Express. Maisie Smith bursts into tears on Sunday Brunch (Image: Channel 4) Tim was eager to showcase Maisie in action from the show, as footage of the soap actress began playing. The clip captured Maisie during an utterly exhausting moment. She was approaching the conclusion of a demanding task and was forced to battle her way up an enormous sand dune with the additional burden on her shoulders. It was clear the ex-Strictly contestant was finding it incredibly difficult. Maisie Smith was visibly emotional after watching the clip (Image: Channel 4) Billy Billingham could be heard yelling at her: "Come on number 12," as she took tiny steps but refused to surrender. Billy bellowed: "I want to see you sprinting." Responding to his encouragement, remarkably, Maisie discovered a reserve of strength from somewhere deep inside and started sprinting up the challenging sandy incline. Maisie could not withhold her tears on Sunday Brunch (Image: Channel 4) When the footage concluded and they returned to the studio, the television personality was clearly emotional. She battled to hold back her tears, saying to the presenters: "Sorry, I don't know why I am crying." As she dabbed at her eyes, Maisie explained: "I was so young and it was such a big challenge." Becoming tearful once more, she shared with the hosts: "They always called me the pocket rocket. I was so slow and I never gave up." Article continues below Between her tears, she continued: "I just didn't want be the girl that quits; I'm very proud of myself." Marking this triumphant memory, Maisie also disclosed that she held the record as both the shortest and lightest contestant ever to claim victory on the programme. Tim provided some reassurance to Maisie, saying: "You should be so proud of yourself." The conversation then shifted to her participation in Strictly - another remarkable accomplishment as she reached the final with professional partner Gorka Marquez in 2020. Sunday Brunch airs every Sunday, from 10am.
Edinburgh Live
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Strictly Come Dancing star breaks down in emotional interview 'I was so young'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Former Strictly finalist Maisie Smith was visibly moved on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch when she was unexpectedly shown a clip from her time on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. The 24-year-old, who triumphed in the 2022 series of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, was reminded of the ordeal's intensity and couldn't hold back her tears. Maisie opened up to hosts Simon Rimmer and Tim Lovejoy about the physical toll the show took on her, revealing that there was no respite even when the cameras stopped rolling, as confirmed by the actress: "It was just so intense." She recounted the gruelling requirement to carry a 20kg sandbag during challenges, a task expected of all participants. The former EastEnders actress shared how carrying nearly twice her body weight was an especially daunting challenge for her, reports the Express. (Image: Channel 4) Tim Lovejoy was eager to showcase Maisie's efforts on the show, cueing a clip where the soap star was seen in a particularly strenuous moment. The footage captured Maisie at the tail end of a taxing challenge, struggling to ascend a massive sand dune with the added burden. The strain was apparent on the ex-Strictly contestant's face. (Image: Channel 4) In the clip, instructor Billy Billingham is heard encouraging her with shouts of "Come on number 12," as she persevered with small steps. Billy's voice rang out, demanding: "I want to see you sprinting." Responding to his encouragement, miraculously, Maisie discovered reserves of strength from somewhere deep inside and started sprinting up the challenging sandy incline. (Image: Channel 4) Back in the television studio once the footage had finished, the celebrity was clearly emotional. She battled to hold back her tears, explaining to the presenters: "Sorry, I don't know why I am crying." Dabbing at her eyes, Maisie explained: "I was so young and it was such a big challenge." Getting upset once more, she told the presenters: "They always called me the pocket rocket. I was so slow and I never gave up." Between her tears, she continued: "I just didn't want be the girl that quits; I'm very proud of myself." Marking her triumphant achievement, Maisie also disclosed that she had been the smallest and lightest contestant ever to claim victory on the programme. Tim provided Maisie with reassurance, saying: "You should be so proud of yourself." The conversation then shifted to her Strictly Come Dancing experience - another remarkable accomplishment as she reached the finale with professional partner Gorka Marquez in 2020. Sunday Brunch airs every Sunday, from 10am.
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Strictly star forced 'off-grid' with boyfriend after fire broke out in holiday home
Strictly star forced 'off-grid' with boyfriend after fire broke out in holiday home The Strictly starhas explained why she was forced "off-grid" during a recent holiday to the South of France with her boyfriend. EastEnders actress Maisie Smith recounted a narrow miss when the property she and Max George were due to stay at in the South of France was engulfed by flames. During her chat on Sunday Brunch (August 10), the Strictly Come Dancing star relayed the alarming incident. Luckily, the couple had not yet reached their holiday abode when the blaze erupted, prompting a last-minute change in their accommodation plans. Maisie revealed that she and Max ended up lodging at an alternative location nearby their initial vacation spot, though it wasn't quite the perfect arrangement for her. The topic arose after hosts Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer questioned why their Channel 4 team had struggled to reach Maisie before her appearance on the show. They had been informed that the soap star had "gone off grid" and sought clarity on what this entailed. Maisie Smith talks near miss as holiday fire 'destroys everything' In his quest for answers, Tim was taken aback by Maisie's candid response early in the programme, reports the Mirror. Following Tim's inquiry, Maisie clarified there was an additional reason for her being unreachable, stating: "It was the South of France, it wasn't really off-grid, it's quite a common holiday destination." She continued, shedding light on the severity of the situation: "But there was a fire and everything was destroyed. The house we were supposed to be staying in, it was destroyed. Simon and Tim wanted to get to the bottom of why Maisie had been off-grid "So where did you stay," Tim enquired, clearly taken aback, to which Maisie disclosed: "In an airbnb, down the road from where we were supposed to be staying. "So all of your technical equipment was destroyed?" Tim probed further as Maisie informed him: "No, we were on a fishing lake." "Do you fish?" Tim continued, with her response being: "No but my boyfriend did?" Tim sensed that the EastEnders actress might not have had the most enjoyable experience, as she seemed less than thrilled about her rural French retreat. Maisie wasn't too enthusiastic about her holiday (Image: BBC) The presenter speculated whether Maisie had relished her time away, and the ex-Strictly contestant shared: "If you like to fish it was great... but if you didn't..." Her explanation was interrupted by laughter in the studio, prompting Tim to steer the conversation elsewhere. Maisie and Max became an item after meeting on the 2020 edition of Strictly Come Dancing, with their romance blossoming two years on in 2022. Article continues below On this particular Sunday Brunch episode, Simon and Tim also welcomed Rhys James, Sam Ryder, Tiwa Savage, and Ashley Thomas to the studio. Sunday Brunch airs every Sunday on Channel 4, from 10am.
Wales Online
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
BBC Strictly star Oti Mabuse shares mum's blunt three-word response to her wedding
BBC Strictly star Oti Mabuse shares mum's blunt three-word response to her wedding Oti Mabuse has opened up about her marriage to husband Marius Lepure - and how her mother was left fuming Former Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse has revealed details about her wedding to husband Marius Lepure, confessing that her mum was not initially pleased with their nuptials. During a discussion on Loose Women about the merits of long engagements, Oti shared insights into her own wedding. The ex-Strictly professional, who later became a judge on ITV's Dancing On Ice, tied the knot with fellow dancer Marius in an intimate ceremony in Denmark. The pair then headed straight to a dance competition post-wedding. However, Oti, now a mother to a one-year-old daughter, confessed that her mum was less than thrilled with their low-key celebration. This led to a second, much larger wedding with 500 guests - of whom the couple only knew four. Oti shared her wedding details on ITV's Loose Women (Image: ITV ) Upon hearing of her daughter's marriage, Oti's mum declared "it doesn't count! We weren't there, it was just the two of you. I didn't have my hat, my dress", and promptly set about organising another wedding, reports Edinburgh Live. Article continues below Oti, who participated in last year's I'm a Celebrity, added: "She planned all our wedding, she had a theme, she was like 'I need a purple wedding' so our wedding was white and purple. "She planned everything. The only thing my husband and I had to do was rock up with our own dresses. "The wedding had 500 people, we only knew four of them. It was my sisters and his brothers, that's all the people we knew - and the rest, it was my mother's wedding." The revelation arrives amid growing anticipation for the 2025 instalment of Strictly Come Dancing, with ongoing speculation about the potential line-up of contestants. Yet, as far as official announcements go, there will be a sense of continuity with confirmation that the judging panel and hosts remain unchanged for the upcoming series. Oti, Marius and their baby daughter (Image: Oti Mabuse Instagram ) The official BBC Strictly Come Dancing account has announced the panel for the new series, consisting of Anton Du Beke, Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, and Oti Mabuse's sister, Motsi Mabuse. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, both recently recognised in the King's birthday honours, will continue their roles as presenters of the show. In a statement, the BBC shared its excitement: "We've been limbering-up and practicing our curtseys, ready for the new series of Strictly with our amazing judging panel, Shirley, Anton, Motsi and Craig and our incredible MBE's Tess and Claudia - Congratulations on your FAB-U-LOUS achievement!". Article continues below Strictly Come Dancing returns to the BBC this autumn and is currently available on BBC iPlayer
Edinburgh Live
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Strictly Come Dancing's Oti Mabuse on challenge she faced returning to work after baby
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Oti Mabuse has candidly discussed her return to the dance floor after becoming a mum in 2023. The former Strictly Come Dancing star is set to embark on a new tour with her ex-Strictly colleague, Flavia Cacace. Starting from 12 June, the duo will be touring across the UK, performing in various towns and cities for what Oti describes as "one big party". During Tuesday's episode of Lorraine, stand-in host Ranvir Singh was eager to know how Oti is coping with it all. Ranvir queried: "Just briefly, how is your body coping with coming back? Is this the most intense dancing you would've done since you became a new mum?" Oti confirmed that was indeed the case, responding: "Yeah it is. I knew I was doing this tour a year ago. "So I've really been trying to lose the baby weight and get physically strong and have the stamina to actually be able to do a two-hour show. "The journey of getting back and being healthy for me has been really a learning curve. I've had to relearn and relive my relationship with my body and what I speak to myself and what I see in the mirror." However, Oti revealed that now she's returned to the world she was once "scared of" as a mum, it feels liberating. She added: "I feel stronger." Oti welcomed her daughter at the end of 2023, although her baby girl was born 10 weeks prematurely and spent six weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, reports Leicestershire Live. Reflecting on her traumatic birth experience during an interview on Loose Women, Oti recounted: "Once I gave birth to her, it became more traumatic. I had sepsis, and I didn't know. I had all these things, I had diabetes, I had pelvic pain, so turning and getting up and walking was very painful. (Image:) "Then I found out that I had sepsis. It was one thing over the other. We spent 10 minutes together and she was taken away with my husband and the doctors. "She was in the incubator, and that was the first time we saw her. She was covered up and she had all these machines and wires and everything covering her face. "This premature world only comes to light when you're going through it.... It was a really, really scary time." Lorraine is available to watch on ITV1 weekdays at 9am and ITVX.
