COMEDIAN Susan Calman has said her mother “will die happy” if she sees her daughter in a dress and sequins – after it was announced the Scot will compete in Strictly Come Dancing.
Calman, 42, was revealed as the ninth celebrity to join the line-up for the 15th edition of the BBC One series. She shared her excitement as the news was announced on Jeremy Vine’s BBC Radio 2 show.
“I was not allowed to tell anybody what’s happening, so it’s been confidential,” she said. “But I am so excited. I’ve been a Strictly superfan for years and this is going to be the best ride possible.”
Calman said she had not danced since she was at school and that she was “the last person on the dancefloor”.
“I don’t particularly enjoy dancing in a lot of ways,” she added.
“I haven’t worn heels or a dress since I was 17 and I haven’t danced with a man in over a decade.”
Calman, who is 4ft 10in tall, said that having a low centre of gravity should help her on the dancefloor. She also said: “My mother will die happy to see me in a dress. To finally see me in glitter and a dress.”
Calman described herself as an “enthusiastic home dancer” and added: “And now on Saturday nights I’ll be dancing in other people’s homes in a (hopefully) entertaining way. I am terrified but excited to start my Strictly journey.”
Calman decided in 2006 to give up her career as a corporate lawyer to work as a comedian. She recently hosted BBC One’s daytime quiz show The Boss, and also fronted BBC Four’s Prejudice And Pride: The People’s History Of LGBTQ Britain alongside Stephen K Amos.
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