Strictly Come Dancing star Sam Quek has insisted she’s ‘not sexy’ and admitted she will find it a ‘challenge’ to bring out that side of herself when she performs raunchy numbers on the BBC show.
The GB hockey sensation, 35, is one of the celebrities taking part in this year’s series on the BBC and hoping to take home the Glitterball trophy.
But, even her husband Tom Mairs, 38, isn’t one hundred per cent convinced she’ll be able to pull off some of the steamier dances.
Opening up about what she’s going to struggle with, she told The Mirror’s Invite Only podcast: ‘I’m not sexy. I can’t do the sexy eyes, the body language. So I think that will be a challenge to tap into that side of me.
‘And if I try to do it, I’ll have to try not to laugh. I was on BBC Breakfast and was trying to show my sexy face and he [Tom] texted me, saying, ‘Almost.’
Strictly Come Dancing star Sam Quek has insisted she’s ‘not sexy’ and admitted she will find it a ‘challenge’ to bring out that side of herself when performing raunchy numbers on the show
The GB hockey sensation, 35, is one of the celebrities taking part in this year’s series on the BBC and hoping to take home the Glitterball trophy
Later in the interview, she gushed that Tom, who she tied with knot with in 2018, is her best friend and number one supporter.
The sports legend revealed that the duo are usually the last ones to leave the dance floor at a wedding.
It comes just after Sam waded into the show’s ongoing bullying row, which has shrouded the competition in controversy.
She believes that the recent scandals which have rocked Strictly should not ‘take the shine’ off what she describes as a ‘fantastic programme’.
The Olympian-turned-presenter gave the show her backing in the face of claims by previous contestant Amanda Abbington that she suffered mistreatment during rehearsals last year.
Sam also appeared to support Giovanni Pernice, who was Strictly’s longest-serving male professional dancer until he was accused of bullying by Ms Abbington.
The Sicilian dancer has strongly denied any wrongdoing and a BBC investigation is ongoing.
Sam said: ‘Everyone has a different experience and I don’t know what their experience was. There’s two sides to the truth.
Opening up about what she’s going to struggle with, she told The Mirror’s Invite Only podcast : ‘I’m not sexy. I can’t do the sexy eyes, the body language
Later in the interview, she gushed that Tom (above), who she tied with knot with in 2018, is her best friend and number one supporter
Sam also appeared to support Giovanni Pernice, who was Strictly’s longest-serving male professional dancer until he was accused of bullying by Amanda (Giovanni and Amanda pictured in October 2023)
‘Sometimes in life there is always a negative experience and, yes, let’s deal with that, but that doesn’t take away the positives.
‘It shouldn’t take the shine off Strictly. It’s a fantastic programme. Everyone loves it for the energy. [On] Saturday night it brings people together.’
Sam, who won 125 caps playing hockey for the England and Great Britain teams, admits she is already taking Strictly seriously.
She said: ‘I’m competitive. Of course you want to win. Why wouldn’t you want to win the glitterball trophy? But wanting to win and can you win, for me, are two completely different questions.’
The BBC presenter added: ‘I’ve no dance experience. I’m here for the glow-up. Here to have a good time. I’m here to learn to dance.’
‘It’s amazing to be in this situation, to be taught how to dance by a pro, world champions, and to be around a great show.’
Strictly Come Dancing returns tonight at 7:20pm on BBC One and iPlayer.