Toyah Willcox says Strictly Come Dancing made her feel 'pre-menopausal'


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Toyah Willcox has spoken openly about her experience in Strictly come dancingclaiming that her time on the BBC reality show made her feel “pre-menopausal”.

The 66-year-old musician and actor is competing in the current season of Strictlyand is partnered with professional dancer Neil Jones.

In a new interview, Willcox spoke about his preparation for the series, which begins in earnest on Saturday night (September 21).

“It’s an extraordinary feeling to have someone you trust hug you and dance with you,” Willcox said. The times“Suddenly I feel premenopausal again.”

Asked about the call Strictly curse – a trend in which celebrity contestants end up having romantic affairs with their dance partners – Willcox laughed off the suggestion.

“I’m not saying we’re doing anything wrong, but yes, it’s nice to remember that feeling,” she said. “I’m 24 years older than my pro and I adore him. We have a lot in common. But the curse is not an issue because of the trust and respect we have. That’s friendship.”

Willcox is married to Robert Fripp, the 78-year-old guitarist for the progressive rock band King Crimson. In the interview, Willcox also described her concerns about committing to a project that would keep her away from her husband for up to three months (depending on how far she advances in the competition).

Toyah Willcox in a promotional image for 'Strictly'

Toyah Willcox in a promotional image for 'Strictly' (BBC)

“My husband is 78, so every second I spend with him is sacred,” Willcox continued. “I’m taking what could be three months away from him to do Strictly And that's a long time when you're living with a 78-year-old man who you've been with for 38 years and loved and cherished all that time.

“I always worry about how long we will be together, so in my case, no, the curse is not an issue. I feel so sorry for my dance partner that we are having this discussion! I am 66 years old! Can I watch it with others? Of course, because dancing can be very intimate.”

In recent months, Strictly has been at the centre of a scandal surrounding the treatment of celebrity contestants. Professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima left the show ahead of its final season amid allegations that they mistreated contestants during dance rehearsals.

New precautionary measures have been implemented for the current season, including the use of showers.

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