Strictly Come Dancing: Ruth Langsford feels ‘rejected’ by professionals after exit
STRICTLY COME DANCING former contestant Ruth Langsford has revealed she no longer speak to the professional dancers, stating she feel “rejected” after appearing on the BBC dance show in 2017.
Sunday Brunch: Ruth admits she feels 'rejected' by Strictly stars
Ruth Langsford, 58, was partnered with dancing professional Anton Du Beke, 52, during her time on Strictly Come Dancing.
The This Morning presenter managed to make it to week eight of the BBC dance competition, but was eliminated having performed a Foxtrot routine.
Appearing on Channel 4 breakfast show Sunday Brunch this morning alongside her husband Eamonn Holmes, 58, the TV presenter admitted she no longer speaks with the professional dancers from the show.
Sitting alongside Simon Rimmer, 55, and actress Gemma Atkinson, 34, who were also contestants during the same year, Ruth explained how they still converse with one another in a WhatsApp group.
We all felt a bit rejected
After being asked by Tim Lovejoy if their WhatsApp group was still active, Ruth admitted the contestants didn’t talk as much as they used to.
However, she then explained what happens with the professionals in the group chat: “Do you know what happens when they get their new partners?” Ruth asked.
“They get a new group,” Ruth revealed, a comment which was reiterated by Gemma.
“We all felt a bit rejected if I’m honest,” Ruth admitted before adding she, Gemma, Simon and their fellow competitors still occasionally message each other.
“We still do [talk], but we don’t with the professionals after which 2013 semi-finalist Sophie Ellis-Bexter, 39, revealed she and her fellow Strictly stars didn’t have a WhatsApp group.
Sophie said: “We didn’t [have a WhatsApp group] but we we’re still close,” the Murder On The Dancefloor signer revealed.
Ruth’s admission comes after former Strictly professional James Jordan, 40 spoke out about his experience with his celebrity partners while on the show.
James revealed how he felt “protective” over the amateur dancers, who sometimes received “harsh” comments from the judges in his opinion.
“I’ve been critiqued my whole life so I’m quite happy being critiqued. I was always the one who was quite protective on Strictly.
“If I felt someone was being too harsh on my partner I’d always speak up!” he admitted ahead of his participation in this year’s Dancing On Ice.
Revealing how it will be different being critiqued for his routines on the ice, James continued: “Maybe I’ll be the one going back at the judges, but I’ve watched the show before and most of the time they’re pretty spot on in what they say.”
Strictly Come Dancing: Stacey Dooley WINS competition
He added: “So, if they say I’m rubbish, you’ve just got to take it on the chin.”
Although 2018 winner Stacey Dooley, 31, was only crowned Strictly champion just before Christmas, the rumour mill is already in full force for who could compete on the BBC dance show later this year.
Among the rumoured participants include former Celebrity Juice panelist Fearne Cotton, 37, following her departure from the ITV show.
Bookmakers have cut their odds to 2/1 for Fearne to sign up, with OddsMonkey spokesperson Peter Watton explaining: “The BBC tend to keep talks quiet, but we know a lot of celebrities are huge fans of the show.
“Fearne Cotton and Steph McGovern have previously been linked and it no surprise to see them linked again.”
Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One later this year.