Television personality Scarlett Moffatt has firmly addressed suggestions that her past dance experience gives her an unfair edge, just before she takes to the floor for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special.
Addressing The 'Fix' Allegations
The 35-year-old former Gogglebox star, who will compete in the festive episode on BBC One on Christmas Day at 5.30pm, found herself facing scrutiny after the line-up was revealed last month. Some critics pointed to her childhood participation in dance competitions and a past meeting with judge Anton Du Beke as evidence of an advantage.
Speaking to The Sun, Moffatt pushed back against these claims. "I feel they've really hyped me up," she said. "I enjoy dancing, but that was when I was a little girl, I'm 35 now. I did dance, but it was so long ago." She clarified that her early lessons were in Old Time and Sequence dancing, styles similar to ballroom and Latin.
A Childhood Dream and a Signed Paper
Moffatt explained her lifelong passion for the show, which began when Strictly first aired as she turned 13. Her connection to judge Anton Du Beke stems from a childhood encounter when she was just eight years old. "Anton and Erin were doing a show and at the end... they would teach people how to do a bit of a foxtrot or a bit of a waltz. I went to that... and Anton signed a piece of paper which I've still got," she shared.
She expressed amusement at how this memory had been exaggerated, saying, "That somehow was translated into that I was trained by Anton. Somehow that's been twisted and I am professionally trained by Anton. It's so funny though, man."
The Joy of a 'Bucket-List' Moment
Despite the controversy, Moffatt's excitement is palpable. On Instagram, she posted that appearing on the main series was unlikely due to her past experience, making the Christmas special "mean everything" to her. "Dancing on the Strictly Christmas Special, on Christmas Day, feels like a true bucket-list moment," she wrote alongside clips of her training and childhood dancing.
She will be dancing with professional Vito Coppola in the special, which also stars Westlife's Brian McFadden, comedian Babatunde Aléshé, EastEnders actor Nicholas Bailey, Gladiator Jodie Ounsley and All Saints singer Melanie Blatt.
Moffatt recently returned to competitive ballroom after a 15-year hiatus, winning placements at a competition in Blackpool's Winter Gardens. However, she emphasised the difference in returning to dance now as a 35-year-old mother. "It just encourages the love of dance and how much joy it can bring to people... this is why I love it so much," she said, calling the experience "liberating".
When her participation was announced on spin-off show It Takes Two, Moffatt told host Janette Manrara she "just keeps crying all the time" from excitement, describing it as a "dream" at the top of her bucket list.
