LOOSE Women panellist Sunetra Sarker has confessed she was left feeling “vulnerable” during her time on Strictly Come Dancing.
Sunetra, 50, competed on the BBC ballroom show in 2014, where she was partnered with Brendan Cole and eliminated ninth.
Just like Rachel Riley, who claims hearing the theme tune triggers her PTSD, the actress admitted she feels “nervous” when the music comes on.
It all came about during a discussion about stage fright with Kaye Adams, Jane Moore and Kelsey Parker on Friday’s edition of the ITV show.
Kaye, who competed in Strictly last year with Kai Widdrington, reflected on how her nerves “floored” her at the time.
Sunetra replied: “It does have a power of us doesn’t it? That music. No matter what year it is, and I’m a good eight years on…
“I am [still recovering], it’s like I’m in AA! I’m on the other side of it, in a big way.
“Whenever I hear that, ‘Dancing the tango with their partner,’ I go, ‘Oh god it’s happening, it’s happening again,’ because you can’t believe you’ve put yourself in such a vulnerable position and your nerves.
“I wish I could go back and know now the things I could do.”
Kaye added: “I literally learnt meditation for that job. I found myself in a sea full of people who were such big personalities, everyone was busy and there was so much going on that it was like working in the circus except you don’t have an act!”
The stars of this year’s competition – who will hopefully be able to beat their nerves – met earlier this month to get started in training.
The group, including Coronation Street star Ellie Leach and EastEnders actor Bobby will be officially introduced alongside their dance partners on Saturday 23 September.
Earlier this month, Les Dennis was the final name announced for the upcoming series.
He will join soap stars past and present on the dancefloor, including former EastEnders star Nigel Harman and Waterloo Road star Adam Thomas.
The Strictly line-up also includes Paralympic champion Jody Cundy and former British number one tennis player Annabel Croft as well as BBC Asian Network’s Breakfast Show host Nikita Kanda.
Actress Amanda Abbington, Bad Education star Layton Williams and broadcaster Angela Rippon will also compete.
They will be joined by journalist Krishnan Guru-Murthy, comedian Eddie Kadi, Irish TV presenter Angela Scanlon and former Love Island star Zara McDermott.
The BBC show – hosted by Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly – will run for 13 weeks and finish on Saturday December 16.
Judges Shirley, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke, will all be back on the panel.
