Nicola Roberts found the BBC Strictly Christmas routine difficult to learn

The former Girls Aloud star said she “beat up” herself trying to make sense of the routine.

The 37-year-old will dance professionally with Streng Giovanni Pernic and she’s one of six celebrities taking up the challenge this festive period.

Thank you very much @BBCTheOneShow for being on the show to talk about the best time I’ve had @bbcstrict Christmas special 🤍 pic.twitter.com/7ki5yTUz1v

— Nicola Maria Roberts (@NicolaRoberts) December 22, 2022

Roberts said: “My process is quite slow.

“When you’re in a band you have weeks to perfect a two-hour show, so there are certain numbers that you pick up quickly or numbers that take a couple of weeks to really sink in, and that’s my process, that i have learned over the years.

“Of course with Strict You don’t have the luxury of time. Only after the fourth session did I feel like we were in a good space.

“Before that I was messing myself up and not understanding the routine, not understanding the technical aspects and the position is still not there every time and there is a lot to think about so it was very quick but I like being a professional and I do likes to do a good job and I had a great time!”

Speaking to professional partner Pernice, 32, the pair discussed the prospect of a win, with Roberts saying: “I haven’t seen anyone else’s dances but I think we all come into it from different backgrounds.

“It’s very hard to be competitive for a show like this, especially when everyone’s so nice, and it is Christmas something special and it’s a bit of fun.”

It’s the season to sparkle ✨ @bbcstrict pic.twitter.com/0MHdaacEI7

— Nicola Maria Roberts (@NicolaRoberts) December 19, 2022

While Pernice, who won the 19th series of Strictly Come Dancing with the actress Rose Ayling-EllisHe added: “I feel competitive, I want to win! There are also a lot of good dancers and it will be fun!”

Roberts also spoke about how her experience as a member of Girls Aloud has led to her being familiar with the Strict glitz and glamour.

She said: “Well I spent a long time in a girl band where I was a girl band for a long time and then you step out of this world and you learn how to be yourself without all that.

“And now I’m back on the machine for just a few weeks where I’m being fed glitter and sequin dresses and dressed up as Santa’s helpers and I said I wanted fun and it was fun.”

Roberts isn’t the only former Girls Aloud member to take charge of the Strictly Christmas special, as Kimberley Walsh took to the dance floor alongside her in 2017 Strict professional Pasha Kovalev.

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special Couples and How to Watch in 2022

CBeebies host George Webster will be dancing with pro Amy Dowden, while Coronation Street star Alexandra Mardell is teaming with Kai Widdrington.

Actor Larry Lamb will dance with Nadiya Bychkova and DJ Rickie Haywood-Williams will dance with Luba Mushtuk.

Podcaster Rosie Ramsey will be collaborating with Neil Jones.

The Christmas special will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day at 5:10pm.

😍😍😍 I was looking for something fun and called stern! I’m so excited and honored to have been asked to be a part of Strictly’s prestigious Christmas Day special. I will dance the waltz under the glitter ball 🪩 @bbcstrict #strict pic.twitter.com/tuGTGfxnal

— Nicola Maria Roberts (@NicolaRoberts) December 2, 2022

Who won the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special in 2021?

Last year, singer Anne-Marie and professional dancer Graziano Di Prima were named the winners of the Strictly Christmas Special.

YOU DID IT! Your #Strict Winners 2022 are… Hamza and Jowita 🏆🪩@HamzaYassin3 pic.twitter.com/gvAocFzAEC

— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) December 17, 2022

Who won the 2022 Strictly Come Dancing series?

Countryfile presenter and wildlife cameraman on Saturday Hamza Yassin and his partner Jowita Przystal held up the Glitterball trophy after the audience vote.

Hamza faced stiff competition as he took on Molly Rainford, Fleur East and Helen Skelton to win the grand prize.

Each pair had three dances with Yassin and Przystal finishing with 113 points and Fleur East and Vito Coppola leading with 119.

But Yassin won the hearts of the nation after they voted the nature lover their Strictest Champion.