Angela Scanlon, the former Strictly Come Dancing star, has opened up about her challenging experience with one particular dance routine during the 2023 BBC series. The 41-year-old presenter, paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, candidly revealed that she "hated" performing the Samba to Jennifer Lopez's "Ain't It Funny," describing the week as "tragic" and the experience as "excruciating." Despite its popularity among fans, Angela struggled to embrace the "sexy" nature of the routine, which starkly contrasted with the fun and lighthearted Charleston they had performed earlier.
Reflecting on the Samba, Angela admitted, "No actually I hated it, it was really traumatic, but I realised that loads of people have praised me on that dance and now I'm like, 'yeah I loved it too', like no I didn't, I f**g hated it, but it was J Lo and it was like on the edge of a fountain, like a senorita, so it was full sexy." The dance was performed on the edge of a fountain, adding to the sultry and bold atmosphere of the routine.
Speaking on the Late To The Party with Grace Campbell podcast, Angela revealed the emotional turmoil she faced leading up to the live performance. She said, "It was [the] fear of being really like sexual, then Carlos would sit on the end of a chair and be like, 'So we're going to teach you how to be a sly lady', it was excruciating for me to like step into that." To overcome her discomfort, Angela mentally pushed through by channeling her inner Jennifer Lopez, pretending to be the popstar to embody the character required for the dance.
Despite her personal struggles, the dance duo scored 27 points out of 40 from the judges for their Samba performance. This score reflected a mixed reception but did not fully capture the intense pressure Angela felt behind the scenes.
Angela's highest moment on the show came during Blackpool week, where she performed an Argentine Tango to Amy Winehouse's "Back To Black." This performance earned her an impressive 38 points, with judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke each awarding a perfect 10, while Craig Revel Horwood gave an 8. The high score marked a significant achievement for Angela and Carlos, showcasing their growth and chemistry on the dance floor.
However, just a week after this peak, Angela's journey on Strictly Come Dancing came to an end. After performing a Cha Cha, she narrowly missed out on a place in the quarter-finals following a dance-off with Layton Williams. This elimination was a disappointing conclusion to her spirited run on the show.
The 2023 Strictly Come Dancing series was ultimately won by former Coronation Street actress Ellie Leach and her partner Vito Coppola. The previous year saw Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell take home the Glitterball trophy, highlighting the competitive nature of the show and the high caliber of its contestants.
Looking ahead, the BBC is preparing to announce the lineup for the upcoming series, featuring a fresh crop of celebrities eager to compete for the coveted Glitterball trophy. Rumored participants include Helen Flanagan, Tom Parker Bowles, Sir Mo Farrah, and Georgia Toffolo, promising an exciting new season for fans.
Returning judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke will once again bring their expertise and vibrant personalities to the panel. Additionally, professional dancers such as reigning champion Dianne Buswell, Karen Hauer, Johannes Radebe, Nikita Kuzmin, and Katya Jones are set to return, ensuring the show's high standards of performance and entertainment.
Outside of Strictly, Angela Scanlon continues to engage with audiences through other media ventures. She is featured as a guest on this week's episode of Saturday Kitchen with Matt Tebbutt, appearing alongside her podcast co-star Vicky Pattison. The show airs weekly at 10am on BBC One, offering viewers a blend of culinary delights and celebrity insights.
Angela's candid reflections on her Strictly experience reveal the complex emotions and challenges behind the glitz and glamour of the dance floor. Her honesty about struggling with the Samba routine provides a rare glimpse into the vulnerability and resilience required to compete on such a high-profile platform. As the new Strictly season approaches, fans will undoubtedly be eager to see how the returning judges and professional dancers continue to shape the beloved dance competition.
