NEW Strictly star Carol Kirkwood can’t wait to be sparkled and spray tanned but the bubbly Scots weather presenter is praying bosses keep her away from skimpy outfits that reveal her “elephant” legs.
And in her first big interview since signing up for the show she says she wouldn’t mind a pairing with hunky pro dancer Aljaz Skorjanec. “I’m really looking forward to the spray tan, the big hair pieces and the make-up bring it on,” Carol, 53, told The Sunday Post. “They can pile on those sequins so I won’t be able to walk with the weight of the outfits. It’s all so girly and I love it. “But I’m more wary of the shorter dresses because I’ve got legs like an elephant.” As a self-confessed Strictly superfan, BBC Breakfast favourite Carol, from Morar, admits it was an offer too good to refuse. “It’s becoming a bit more real,” she confides as she finishes another busy broadcast morning. “Up until now it was ‘Oooh, Strictly. Hooray.’ Now it’s more a case of ‘Yikes, I’ve got to do something now’. “We had our first day this week when I met some of the other contestants and we tried on our outfits and had our pictures taken. “So it’s exhilarating and exciting but also scary, largely because I can’t dance and have never tried.” Ask Carol if it’s the most frightening thing she’s ever tried and she casts her mind back to last year. She did a parachute jump with the Red Devils and also did some nerve-shredding hang-gliding. “That was the scariest thing I’ve ever done in my life I will NEVER do that again. “This is a different kind of scary because I’ve got to learn something and remember it.” Carol says she’s been watching the Beeb’s Saturday night sensation ever since Brendan Cole picked up the glitterball with Natasha Kaplinsky in the very first series. She’s bumped into him on occasion since as well as having met up with Anton du Beke at events. So she concedes she’d welcome a pairing with someone totally new. “I really like Aljaz and Pasha,” she says, before being reminded of Aljaz’s model-like appearance. “I hadn’t noticed! “I just hope that I get somebody patient. And somebody who’s strong so I don’t flatten them when they lift me up.” When I recall Judy Murray saying she found the whole Strictly experience tougher than she imagined, the infectious laugh that has endeared Carol to millions bursts forth. “Oh don’t say that,” she giggles. “I’m nowhere near Judy’s level of fitness so I’m doing some training with a lovely chap who’s helping me work on my core. “I’m hoping the fitness will come quickly but I expect to be exhausted because I’ll be working on my regular job in tandem with this.” That day job is actually more of a daybreak job, getting up before 3am to bring the nation a weather picture as it munches on its cornflakes and sups a morning coffee. She reckons she’ll head straight to the training studio the minute she comes off air and cram in as many hours as possible. “I go to bed at between 8 and 9pm,” says Carol, who lives in Berkshire. “So I’d definitely want to be home about seven at the latest so I can relax before going to sleep. And still have a bit of a life.”
10 Classic Strictly momentsWe take a look at 10 of the best moments from Strictly Come Dancing1) Russell GrantThe astrologer got closer to the stars when he was shot out of a cannon at Wembley in 2011.Picture credit: BBC2) Anton Du BekeThrew partner Ann Widdecombe across the floor, leading to Alesha Dixon comparing her to a hoover.Picture credit: BBC3) Harry JuddHis McFly bandmates raced on when he won in 2011. Bruce Forsyth, unaware of who they were, chased them off.Picture credit: BBC4) Judy MurrayShe laughed off Craig Revel Horwood’s jibes, including ‘having rigor mortis’ and ‘resembling Nelson’s column’.Picture credit: BBC5) Mark RamprakashThe former cricketer won series four but only after begging to restart a routine after a tangle with Karen Hardy.Picture credit: BBC6) Bruno TonioliThe judge found a comment about Rachel Riley clenching her buttocks so funny he fell of his seat.Picture credit: BBC7) Quentin WillsonThe car show presenter holds the lowest score record, a measly eight points for his cha-cha-cha.Picture credit: BBC8) Aliona VilaniShe won with Harry Judd but is also the only one to go out first twice in a row, with Tony Jacklin and Gregg Wallace.9) John SergeantA dance disaster but a fans’ favourite who finally quit saying winning would’ve been “a step too far”.10) Chelsee HealeyThe Waterloo Road star was so embarrassed after a wardrobe malfunction that she had a boob reduction op.The launch show is screened next Saturday. There then follows a three-week training period before the series returns and the first celeb gets voted off. Carol admits she’s competitive enough to do all she can to ensure it’s not her, but doesn’t want to be too obsessed that she forgets to have fun. “I’ve got to be realistic. I’m 53 and not the fittest person you’re ever likely to meet. I could probably do with eating fewer crisps and chocolates than I do. “But only 15 people get to do this every year and I’m in a very privileged position. “Even if I’m first out which I hope I’m not I’ll still have had a wonderful time with a lovely partner. “What I don’t want is to take it so seriously and be so competitive I lose the pleasure of taking part.” Although she’s been a telly “face” for many years, Carol has already experienced some of the mania that comes with Strictly, including a pack of paparazzi on her tail. But she’s taking it in her stride and is hoping that like Judy last year she gets vital votes from Scotland. “I’m going to need all the help I can get,” she adds. “It’s going to be very strange. I’ve always watched with my friends and been a bit of a critic. “Now my friends are going to be watching me saying; ‘What on earth were you thinking?’.” Strictly Come Dancing The Launch is on Saturday September 5 at 7.15pm on BBC One.
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