The Australian singer was the third celebrity to be named for the new series of the BBC show and has now given an update after a gruelling first day in rehearsals
Delta Goodrem has admitted she ‘can’t move’ after her first day of Strictly rehearsals (Image: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
Delta Goodrem says she’s already struggling with the gruelling demands of her Strictly Come Dancing schedule – after one rehearsal.
The Australian singer and actress was confirmed for the twenty-sixth series of the long running BBC show in June, shortly after representing her country in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Eclipse.
But Delta, 41, admits she is feeling the strain after participating in her first rehearsal at a London dance studio on Friday. Reflecting on her progress with new Strictly host Emma Willis, she said: “I can’t move today… I had my very first day yesterday. Obviously, there was a lot of dancing, so it was a baptism of fire, a lot of shock for the body, so I’m slow moving today.”
Despite her pedigree as a seasoned performer, Delta insists she doesn’t have an advantage over her Strictly rivals because her music doesn’t lend itself to dance.
“I love dancing, but I don’t get to dance,” she explained during an appearance on BBC Radio 2. “It’s never been my role. My music doesn’t sit in the space where I do a lot of choreography.
“I don’t do a lot of dancing, and I don’t think people associate me with dance… I’ve never done ballroom. I didn’t even know there was a difference between Latin and ballroom until yesterday.”
Delta was the third celebrity to be confirmed for the new series following the announcements of former Love Island winner Dani Dyer and EastEnders star Lacey Turner.
The singer hinted at an appearance on the show in June, telling Good Morning Britain: ‘Every time I’ve ever been in the UK and I get immersed into it. I love music with all my heart but as I said before Eurovision, I’m always open.’
Last week, the singer admitted she was yet to be assigned a professional dance partner and was already feeling nervous about her imminent appearance on the show. “I think in a couple of weeks, so it’s still like a week or so away when we start the process,’ she told Sunday Brunch. ‘I’m excited, nervous, all those kinds of things.”
Asked if she saw herself as a potential winner, she added: “I am going to go in and give my very best that I possibly can. I have no expectations or awareness of what level of dancing.”
Strictly is back this autumn and winter for its first series since hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman quit the programme. Tess and Claudia have since been replaced by a trio of presenters – Johannes Radebe, Josh Widdecombe and Emma Willis.
Delta shot to fame when she starred as aspiring singer Nina Tucker on Neighbours and then went onto a major pop career with hits such as Innocent Eyes and Born To Try.
Along with the likes of Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Holly Valance and Natalie Imbruglia, she is part of a cohort of stars who started out on the Australian soap before going onto conquer the music industry.
After signing up for Strictly Come Dancing, she said: “I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career – from TV, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world.
“There is, however, one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor. I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Strictly and can’t wait to get started.”
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