Reality TV star Vicky Pattison has candidly shared the challenges she’s facing during rehearsals for Strictly Come Dancing. The former Geordie Shore star, at 37, was the eleventh contestant announced for the 2025 celebrity lineup, joining notable names like EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal and model Ellie Goldstein.
“Baptism of Fire” First Day on the Dancefloor
In an Instagram post, Vicky gave fans a raw look at the physical toll of her training so far. Describing it as comparable to being “hit by a car,” she shared side-by-side photos from her first day. One featured her smiling brightly, ready for the challenge, while the other showed her visibly exhausted after a long day of practice. Alongside the pictures, she wrote, “Our first @bbcstrictly rehearsal… The start of the day versus… the end 😂🤦🏻♀️💃🏼🪩.”
Vicky’s cheerful tone turned into shocked honesty as she said, “Dancing is SO HARD! No wonder those pros are all drop-dead gorgeous 😂😂😂. I feel like I’ve been hit by a car and I’ve already got blisters… WTF???” The update came with a close-up shot highlighting her swollen and blistered heel, captioned humorously with, ‘And so it begins.’
Positive Attitude Despite Painful Challenges
Though struggling with soreness and doubts, Vicky made it clear she’s still relishing the experience. She said, “What an amazing day! The team, the celebs, and the pros are incredible… If I hang around long enough, I think I’ll really love my new family.”
Fellow contestants and celebrities flocked to support her in the Instagram comments. Strictly pro Karen Hauer cheered, “Let’s go, babe! You got this!! 🙌,” while Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt encouraged her, writing, “Can’t wait to watch you dance now ❤️.”
Strictly 2025 Lineup and Bookmakers’ Odds
With rehearsals in full swing, the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing lineup has already generated buzz. According to bookmakers, Ellie Goldstein is the frontrunner to win the Glitterball trophy at odds of 3/1. Vicky currently sits in fourth place at 7/1, following closely behind Dani Dyer (6/1) and YouTuber George Clarke (5/1).
Despite the challenges, Vicky’s determination to rise to the challenge shines brightly, and fans eagerly await her debut on the dancefloor this September 20th. Let’s hope her hard work and resilience will pay off!
A Reality TV Veteran Tackles a New Challenge
This isn’t Vicky’s first time stepping into the competitive reality TV spotlight. She rose to fame in 2015 after winning I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and also appeared on hit shows like Celebrity MasterChef and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. Taking on Strictly gives her a whole new way to challenge herself.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One on September 20, 2025. Stay tuned to see if Vicky’s grit and enthusiasm lead her to ballroom success.