Q&A with Katie Derham
Have you ever wondered how Prom Queen Katie Derham felt the night she danced her leader board topping Viennese Waltz? Or what it's really like dancing with Anton? Or perhaps you're just curious to know who her favourite composer is. Well, Katie Derham revealed all in an exclusive online Q&A session, where she answered your questions submitted on Twitter and Facebook. Here’s what she said…
What is your favourite part of the Strictly process and why?
I love finding out the music for the next dance. I always enjoy the actual studio preparation... but probably the highlight is the Friday night dinner. Last week we all gathered around and played Eggheads with Jeremy!
I am very much hoping I get to dance an American Smooth with AntonKatie Derham
Is the experience of being on the show what you expected?
It's like an exaggerated version of what I expected... even more fun, even more sparkly and even harder work!
Is there a dance that you haven't done already that you'd love to do?
I am very much hoping I get to dance an American Smooth with Anton.
Carol was thrilled to have Bryan Adams on Strictly. Which artist would most you like to dance to?
I'd like to dance to Jamie Cullum because I think he's amazing!
How do you prepare yourself for each dance every Saturday with the nation watching? Do you feel nervous?
I do feel nervous. We all do. I try and have a quiet moment and remind myself that this is an amazing experience and that if I enjoy it, the audience will too!
How did you feel on the night of your Viennese Waltz?
I felt like a princess dancing it, the costume was wonderful, Anton was happy and the audience loved it too.
What’s it like dancing with Anton?
It's exactly as you'd imagine. Amazing, enormous fun, he's a great teacher and we spend a lot of time laughing!
Strictly has taught me that if you're going to perform, you have to throw yourself into it 100%Katie Derham
What's the funniest thing that's happened to you and Anton?
The funniest moment was when my daughters came in which we filmed for the VT. My 15 year old asked Anton if he had ever got a 10 and he said no... to which she replied "tragic!" Cheeky!
Do you prefer Latin or Ballroom?
Genuinely I really like them both. But I think we can all agree that Ballroom suits me better... so far!
How many hours a day do you train to get to learn one dance for a week? Do you ever think that you're not going to get it?
It varies from week to week, but we are probably doing at least four or five hours a day from Monday to Thursday, but I always wish there was more time. Everyone worries they're going to have a mental blank!
Who is your favourite composer and why?
I love Debussy. I fell in love with his atmospheric piano music when I was a teenager.
Has your daily intake of calories gone up while you’ve been doing Strictly?
Yes it has and I feel like I can eat anything because you're doing so much exercise. We've eaten a lot of cake!
Has Strictly taught you anything new about yourself or any life lessons?
It's taught me that if you're going to perform, you have to throw yourself into it 100%.
How can you look so good whilst working so hard... do you have a secret potion?
No secret potion I'm afraid, just lots of help from hair and make-up!
Will you continue dancing after Strictly has finished?
I would love to keep on dancing and my husband is threatening to take ballroom dancing lessons so we can dance together!
