BBC Strictly Come Dancing’s Unexpected Secret Judging Moment You’ll Never See on Camera

Strictly Come Dancing star Fleur East has unveiled a surprising secret about the BBC dance show, sharing behind-the-scenes moments that never make it to air. Fleur, who competed on the show in 2022 with her dance partner Vito Coppola and later became a presenter on It Takes Two, revealed intriguing details about the judges and their pre-show routines.

In an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk, Fleur admitted she misses being a contestant. “I do miss the performance side of it. I loved dancing in the ballroom on a Saturday night,” she shared. However, her role as a presenter offers her a unique perspective. “I love now being able to just watch all of it happen and see the magic come to life. One of my favorite things is seeing all the rehearsal and training footage before the live show. We get to see everything before anyone else does—it’s so fun.”

Fleur also disclosed that the judging panel watches the contestants during dress rehearsals, giving them a sneak peek at the performances before the live show. “I think they see the dress run on the day, but that’s the only thing they get to see ahead of time,” she explained.

When asked which judge contestants should prioritize impressing, Fleur didn’t hesitate to single out head judge Shirley Ballas. “Shirley’s the one you really want to impress because she’s the head judge and legendary in the Latin and Ballroom game,” Fleur said. She recalled a personal highlight when Shirley praised her samba, calling her samba walks some of the best she’d ever seen, even in competitions. “When you get a compliment like that from her, it means a lot,” she added.

As Fleur gears up to host the National Lottery’s New Year’s Eve Big Bash alongside Vernon Kay, she reflected on the significance of the event. The show will feature performances from Craig David, Perrie Edwards, Ella Henderson, and Olly Alexander, among others.

“It’s not just a party for New Year’s Eve,” Fleur explained. “It’s also about celebrating the people and organizations doing incredible work for their communities with funding from the National Lottery. It’s amazing to look back at the moments and the impact that funding has had over the past year.”

Fans eagerly await Fleur’s hosting of the star-studded event, as she continues to shine both on-screen and behind the scenes.