Anneka Rice will be unable to do some of the “steps” on Strictly Come Dancing 2019, after having a deviating fall last month. The broadcaster has been undergoing physiotherapy for the past six weeks in preparation for the BBC One show, but is still not back to her best. The 60-year-old is the oldest contestant in the line-up this year by seven years, in front of Mike Bushell, 53, and Michelle Visage, who is three years his junior. Speaking about her health woes, she opened about the “bad accident” as she prepares for a group dance during the launch show on September 7.
“I had quite a bad accident and hurt my shoulder,” Anneka told The Sun. “I fell badly on a very wet grassy slope.
“It’s getting better but it’s meant I haven’t been able to do the ‘all singing, all dancing’.”
The actress said she had to have a word behind-the-scenes to make them aware of her limitations.
She continued: “It’s slightly holding me back. I told the Strictly bosses, ‘You do realise I won’t be able to do one of these steps.’”
Meanwhile, Anneka went on to say she has been asked to take part in Strictly before but had “always said no straight away”.
She then stated: “I’ve always promised my children I’d never do anything to embarrass them while they were at school, but my last son is now out of university so I’ve just got a little window before I have grandchildren, so I thought, what the hell.
“If I can’t get one of these lovely professionals to teach me how to dance, then nothing will.”
It comes just days after bookmaker Coral made Anneka Rice the favourite, at 5-4, to be Strictly veteran Anton Du Beke’s partner.
Michelle is 2-1 to dance with him, whilst Emma Barton (4-1) and Emma Weymouth (5-1) are other potential candidates.
“Anton’s absolutely revered by the British public and they can’t wait to find out who he’ll be dancing with on this year’s Strictly.
“We make Anneka the favourite and think they are on course to team up for a tilt at the Glitterball Trophy,” a spokesperson told Express.co.uk.
Meanwhile, on Monday, she was “Strictified” to film the red carpet show with her fellow competitors.
“Argh. I’ve been Strictified. I asked to wear trousers… hmmm. Think the memo got lost. #Strictly #ChallengeAnneka30,” she tweeted to her 24,000 followers.
Wearing her blonde tresses down, Anneka’s toned pins were impossible to miss in a glitzy, blue dress, complete with fringing throughout.
She had previously added: “The ice is for my bath. The rest is for my throat. Honestly, this is insane… #Strictly #Day2 #strictlyimpossible.”
Strictly Come Dancing 2019 launches on September 7 on BBC One.
