Laura Whitmore is blogging her Strictly journey for GLAMOUR and we for one are loving her on the dancefloor. Here she talks about her QuickStep and getting her highest score yet... 

'It was like lightning, everybody was frightening

And the music was soothing, and they all started grooving' 

If ever there was a song apt for Strictly Come Dancing… This is it; Ballroom Blitz by Sweet. (Also widely known as that song at the end of Wayne's World… Sch-ting!) 

This week it was time for the QuickStep and you guessed it it involves a lot of VERY quick steps and Ballroom Blitz is a fast paced song' 

I've never worked on a TV show with so many emotions, honestly more ups and downs than a pair of kangaroos in mating season (red dwarf reference for any geeks out there). This week I threw myself completely into training. The bruises from the lifts last week had healed (thanks Mammy Whitmore for the iron supplements) and I was ready to fight/dance another day.

Mick my little dog has been joining us in studio too. This week I need stamina, and no better living being to turn to for inspiration that my hyper pooch!

Each week is getting harder and I just wanted to talk about how bloody awesome all the cast are this year. It's such a diverse bunch of folk - And we've all grown really close. The whatsapp group has also been very active this week. We started off all being very professional in our chats but now there are rude jokes and videos flying around. I couldn't even possibly repeat what's been said!

I'm so proud of everyone and how far they've come. Ore scored the first tens of the series. His jive was brilliant! And he is the sweetest guy. Sadly we said goodbye to Naga and Pasha but I think it was her personal best dance this week and she should be so proud she's come so far.

I was delighted to get my personal highest score for my quickstep with Gio, and scored 33. It's still building blocks and so thankful to be here another week to take on the next challenge… The Jive! No pressure (thanks Ore!)

Lx

Week 5: Laura talks about being in the dance off

Well, I think it's fair to say this week was not easy. I've laughed, I've freaked out and I've cried. A lot. I've become an emotional mess - even more than normal…

It's 'Movie Week', which is a personal favourite for me in the Strictly calendar, and Gio and I had been tasked with the salsa and a tribute to Moulin Rouge.

It was the first time Gio had put lifts in one of our routines. Salsa requires three, in fact. Now, the only lift I'm used to is being put on someone's shoulders at Glastonbury. So, at 5ft 8in and with gangly limbs, being flung around a dance floor is a challenge, to say the least. Thankfully, my dance partner is very strong. But perhaps too strong: we practised so much that when I got home on Wednesday night I realised my whole body was black and blue. I didn't feel the pain at the time, because you just try to give it 100%. Giovanni felt terrible, but I do seem to bruise like a peach - I blame this fair Irish skin of mine. Not only do I barely tan, I also seem to turn blue when anyone even touches me - woohoo for my delicate Celtic epidermis!

The salsa is all about HIPS, being confident and sexiness. I can tell you now, the last thing I felt was sexy - I was sweating, covered in bruises and trying so hard to remember a pacy routine. As its Movie Week, everybody ups their game, so I was told I would be entering the dance floor on a trapeze… because, y'know, there wasn't already enough pressure!

I must say, all the crew and team behind the scenes are awesome, so I always felt safe. Vicki, the costume designer, created the most beautiful dress for me. We were concerned that the tail feathers might get stuck during a lift, however, so at the last minute she made a belt, so I could remove the bulk at the beginning of the dance. She is brilliant! I also lost my blonde locks and was given a Nicole Kidman-esque red wig. Walking around backstage, no one recognised me.

My mam flew over from Ireland to watch the show, and came with a stash of iron supplements and arnica cream (she freaked out when she heard about my bruises… you have to love mammies).

I sometimes put too much energy into it, and that makes me a bit unstable, but I was happy with our dance. I'm still working on the nerves, but we scored 30, and got our first nine from Bruno, which I couldn't believe.

Sadly, on Sunday, after the public vote, we found ourselves in the bottom two, with Tameka and Gorka. You never know how this competition will go. I was devastated, as I'm having such a wonderful time that I don't want to go yet, but I also think Tameka is a beautiful dancer who didn't deserve to be in the bottom two. The dance-off is one of the scariest things I've ever done. I couldn't even look at my mam's face in the audience or I would have fallen apart. I just focused on Gio as I was hoisted onto the trapeze to prepare for the dance-off. I honestly felt like I was up there for about an hour before the music started. This could have been the last time I would dance on Strictly, so I was going to listen to what the judges said and give it all I had.

And I did it. I was saved by Craig, Bruno and Len, but the happiness was juxtaposed with seeing Tameka go. I've had such wonderful support from everyone, so I want to say thanks to my friends and family and for all the social media love. I've been given a chance at another week, and I'm ready to work my ass off and give it everything I have.

Week 5: Laura talks about the waltz

This week has been a roller coaster of emotions. I feel like I've lived about three months in the past week. So, as Maria in The Sound Of Music would sing, 'Let's start at the very beginning,' back to when rehearsals started. (I'm now quoting musical references, what have I become?)

My dance this week was a waltz. I've never waltzed in my life, my only real association was from Disney movies like Cinderella, ya' know in that big ballroom scene when Prince Charming first meets Cinders... And I can tell you, when it came for me to learn it, there wasn't a glass slipper in sight. It was all tired toes and dirty ballroom shoes (I kept standing on my own toe the first day of rehearsing).

The waltz is a dance where you rely heavily on your partner (apparently, I'm not very good at being lead. According to Gio, I like to take control). The crew decided it would be good to take us out of studio to practise somewhere a little different. So we went to the most obvious place… the top of the O2 arena. OK, maybe not so obvious. And the jumpsuit was less glam than what the Strictly wardrobe department creates, but it really helped us work on our partnership. Dancing that high up, under the stars, wasn't too shabby, either. 

This week, I also had a bit of a fangirl moment. I realised the other studio in our dance space was occupied by All Saints practising for their tour. Now I could pretend to be all cool and breezy, but I'm not AT ALL. I love those girls. Probably an unhealthy amount. They asked if we'd show them our waltz - which was more intimidating than performing in front of 12 million people on Saturday night. All Saints had the first little sneak peek, and I was just as delighted to impress them as I was to impress Craig on Saturday night, if I'm honest.

It's also been lovely getting to know everyone else better. Gio and I had lunch with Melvin and Janette on Thursday because we had been training in the same studio. It's so great to be able to share the experience with others, otherwise you feel like you live in a bubble on your own.

We've all had so much fun so far, but I knew someone was going to leave this week. I'm not a dancer and have so much more to learn, so I didn't want my journey to end yet. But then I also didn't want to lose anyone else. 

My friends Lou and Mac got married on Saturday, and because I wasn't able to be there, I dedicated the song to them. Alicia Keys' If I Ain't Got You is such a beautiful song and very romantic. If I'm honest, once the orchestra started playing it I got a bit lost in the lyrics and the dance. I just felt so emotional that when it came to going in front of the judges, I could feel the tears wanting to escape. Gio and I have really worked so hard this week, so to hear lovely comments was such a relief (but didn't help with the blubbering mess I was about to become). We got joint highest score which I couldn't believe! Giovanni is such a good teacher and has really helped me with my confidence and nerves this week.

But half your marks are decided by the public, and this is the first time the phone lines have opened for this series. Sadly, Melvin and his partner Janette left the competition. It was very upsetting because Melvin and I have known each other and worked together for years, and I know how much he loves the show. Janette is also such a brilliant teacher and all-round awesome girl! It's such a crazy feeling: you're happy you're through to continue the journey, but devastated to lose friends. I didn't realise it was all going to be so emotional.

Next week is movie week, which I'm both excited and terrified about… and let's just say the costume and make-up department are going all out for it. But right now it's time to say goodbye to the waltz and attempt to learn something VERY different. Gio has his work cut out for him…

Week 4: Laura talks fear

I've never been more petrified of anything than I was opening the first Strictly show last Friday. Everything felt like jelly - knees, legs… brain.

My safe studio with the bin in the corner, fire exit at the back right and pile of mats at the front had vanished and now a vast glitzy Stage took its place. I'll be honest with you, it hasn't been an easy ride. You have to spend a lot of time with someone you never met. And you have to trust them. Giovanni has been great trying to get me to build my confidence in dancing but it takes time.

I've always considered myself confident, I host live telly, so you have to believe in yourself to a degree, but I have felt that confidence somewhat knocked before the competition started.

You are starting from a blank canvas and each step is a new stroke, continuously building until you hopefully paint a pretty picture - how about that for a metaphor! (High fives oneself*)

It's difficult to not bring the outside world into that studio. If you've had a personal upset it's hard to cut it off and not let it affect your dance. We are human after all.  I haven't known Giovanni long, and I guess I was nervous getting to know him as suddenly everyone is trying to create a story when really the story is two people who don't know each other trying to be the best they can be for the show. I'm also an emotional mess at the best of times… (I cry at John Lewis Ads, or any remotely sad song - so a sad song in a John Lewis ad really pushes me over the edge.)

But the beautiful thing about Strictly is you're not alone, you have a wonderful support network. The producers, your dancer, the other dancers, the other contestants. On Friday Lou Rednapp really gave me some wonderful encouragement and a tight squeeze - never underestimate the power of a hug.

Daisy also introduced me to her snack drawer in her dressing room which has everything from revels to crisps to jellies. I think I'm in love with her after that. 

Being first you have nothing to compare yourself to and all I could do was remember to breathe.. Oh and the steps. 

And I survived. And I loved it. And as an avid strictly fan I've always wanted Len to say to me 'SEEEVVVENNNN!! Which happened! (Life goal made!)

This week I've got a bit of my mojo back. I've taken that constructive criticism and I'm building that confidence. I'm so excited about the second dance - the song has a special meaning to me so if I manage to use the emotion and not be a blubbering mess I'll get through it. I also feel Gio and I have gotten to know each other so much better and I'm learning to trust him (especially with some of the back bends he's choreographed). He's been so supportive this week and understands how my crazy brain works. We got to spend some time on Sunday  outside the studio together filming in a VERY unusual setting (which you'll see on Saturday) to get to know each other. And it's helped so much. I really want to show everyone what I can do once I push those nerves away.

Keep dancin

Lx

Week 3: Laura talks sleepless nights

This week we are LIVE! Restless nights, waking up in the middle of the night, protrusive sweating, swollen ankles... and the realisation that I'm going to have to dance with my partner in front of 12 million people for the first time! No pressure. 

I've spent the last 10 days training with Giovanni and we were told our second dance this week (GOOD NEWS: everyone gets through this weekend thank god. So that's something!)

But that means now I've two dances, that are VERY different, occupying my brain. This equates to even more sweating and sleepless nights. My right ankle was really swollen so my good friend Teddy Brookes, who is an Osteopath, gave me some acupuncture to relieve the pressure. 

Apparently one leg is stronger so it takes most of my weight! Who knew? Years of walking in heels my poor right foot has been bearing the brunt whilst my left leg has been having a wonderful carefree time!

Thankfully Teddy is a genius. I've never had acupuncture and having needles stuck into my leg wasn't exactly an easy sell. He may as well have told me he was sticking needles in my eyes, but I trusted him and it worked. 

Last weekend I was filming another project out in New York but instead of spending a week out there we cut it down to 2 days as Gio couldn't come and train with me there. So dealing with tiredness from a long haul flight hasn't been easy but we have videos of all the steps I can study when I'm away and once I landed I was straight back in the rehearsal room.

During my brief stint in New York, I had the pleasure of seeing An American in Paris on Broadway (which is coming to the West End next year). It was so inspiring to see the dancers so close. The original movie, starring Gene Kelly, is so iconic. I was lucky to meet the lead female, Leanne Cope, backstage after.

She was a First Artist for the Royal Ballet and she told me she is a huge fan of Strictly. She even saw the launch show on catch up from her New York home and is supporting me and Gio, which is lovely. It was great to spend some time with her, I just wish I could bend my body as well as her. I wonder where else I could stick needles to make me as good as Leanne... Or maybe I'll just stick to the training.

Strictly starts this Friday 23 September at 9pm on BBC1 with a second show Saturday 24 September.

Week 2: Laura talks rehearsals 

The craziness of the launch show has just about died down and I've managed to finally wash away the last few fragments of glitter from my body (honestly I was finding sparkles for days after the show, they get EVERYWHERE)… But now it's time to get down to what it's all about… learning to dance.

Yep spending an hour getting make up applied by the best in the business Lisa Armstrong, or my hair curled by Hair Stylist Extraordinaire Lisa Davey is all well and good, but you need substance as well as style. In other words… I need to know the actual dance routine! 

Last Tuesday, in a North London studio, I met my dance partner Giovanni Pernice aka Gio-Gio (Jo-Jo) and the filming crew, and the first song and dance were revealed. I was so nervous about being told… what if it was a song I hated? or worse, a song I love but will hear so much I will end up hating!

Good news - I'm very happy about the song. As for the style of dance, it is one of the more difficult ones but then again, they are ALL difficult. Sadly I can't share it with you until I perform it on the telly. The Strictly bosses are very strict about that. After all it would ruin the surprise wouldn't it? 

I CAN tell you however I wasn't prepared for just how many aches and pains I'd have. Or Gio's unusual teaching style. On Wednesday he made me do the routine with a bottle of water on my head so I wouldn't bob 'up and down like a horse'. It's hard to keep a straight face when you have an Italian man shouting 'No horsey' at you! Mick my little dog has even joined us in studio and likes to sit in the corner and just watch... though at times he's very eager to get involved!

I have smiled a lot this week and laughed a hell of a lot more than I thought. The best part is that all the contestants share a WhatsApp group so we can confide and compare aches and pains and worries. The comradery is so important and I feel so lucky to be sharing this experience with such lovely folk.

As I'm writing this, Gio just text me the following quote 'Working hard is important, but there is something that matters even more. Believing in yourself'.

He's right. Bring on week two!

Week 1: Laura talks Strictly opening show... 

"I've got this feeling inside my bones, it goes electric, wavey when I turn it on… so just dance, dance, dance" 

That's Timberlake's new tune. And every time I hear it, be in in my local pub or a mate's wedding, I'm straight up on that dance floor. What I'm doing up there may be questionable, but I'm having a wonderful time and I can't stop smiling. Working in music at music festivals for MTV and the Brits over the past 8 years, I've always loved the euphoric feeling that songs can give you and I've always had a huge amount of respect for dancers who can capture that emotion ( not to mention the shapes they can make with their body).

When I was a teenager, living in Ireland, I remember watching the first series of Strictly Come Dancing. I was hooked. I've tried to watch as much of every series since, usually catching the beginning and the end of the last five series before I go to and when I'm back from filming 'I'm a Celeb get me out of here now ' in Australia. And now here I am.. ON the show, attempting to become a dancer. GULP.

I am completely out of my comfort zone. Then again I'm quite often put in situations that aren't the norm in my profession, but for some reason I'm more nervous for this than any live hosting job. I've known for many months I was going to do the show but couldn't tell anyone. We all had Shakespearean pseudonyms so a car would come pick me up to go for a medical check with the sign for Lady M ( my neighbours found it quite alarming at times). I asked for the name as I played Lady MacBeth in a production of Macbeth in Dublin many years ago, so I was delighted with it even if it was somewhat unusual. Daisy Lowe's 'fake name' was Rosalind - slightly more inconspicuous. I probably should of thought that through a bit more…

So this week was the launch. No turning back. We trained for two days in Roehampton and it was like the first day at a new school. Anxious. Excited. Making new mates. I'm not sure what it's like other years but what makes this show so special is the people - the other contestants, the dancers, the crew. I know Daisy and Melvin already but Lesley, Lou and Ore were the first three newbies I bonded with. Everyone is lovely.. and everyone is nervous. We're all in the same boat together. Be it a VERY sparkly, glitzy, sequinned boat.

Or should I say rocket. That's what we emerged from on the opening night. I twirled down the red carpet with former Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls ( who is one of the kindest, sweetest gents I've ever met) - now there's a sentence I never expected to write - and there was no twirling back up into that rocket.

I was in full yellow sequinned mini big bird attire ( yellow is my happy colour! Vicki our brilliant head of costume designed a beautiful frock for me) and I had more hair spray in my hair that night than I've had in my entire life up to that point.

Last Saturday the first show aired and we finally had our dance partner revealed. I was partnered with the lovely Giovanni Pernice or Gio (pronounced Joe) for short. I like to call him Gio Gio (Joe Joe). Gio is so talented, and when I saw him last year I thought he was one of the best dancers and best choreographers in the whole show. I'm a feisty Irish lady, and he's a feisty Italian guy so it should be interesting. I worked with Joe Swash for five years on I'm a Celeb and we worked brilliantly together but also had full blown arguments. We hugged each other when we were sad and encouraged each other when we were unsure or worried. Gio is my Italian Joe Swash. 

Rehearsals start tomorrow and I am both petrified and bursting with excitement. Wish me luck! (I'm guessing you probably shouldn't tell a dancer to break a leg?!)