Nicola Roberts

Nicola Roberts had admitted “I was beating myself up” after initially struggling to learn her dance routine for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.

She said: “Well I spent a long time in a girl band where I was girl band-ified for a long time, and then you step out of that world and you learn how to be you without of all of that. “Before that I was beating myself up and not understanding the routine, not grasping the technical aspects, and the position is still not there every time and it’s a lot to think about so it’s been very fast but I like to be professional and I like to do a good job, and I’ve had a great time!” “When you’re in a band you have weeks to perfect a two hour show, so there’ll be certain numbers that you pick up quickly or the numbers that might take a good couple of weeks to really sink in, and that’s my process, that’s how I’ve learned over the years.

The singer and actress and her professional dance partner tell us all about training for their festive Waltz.

Nicola: Well Craig is the mean one, Shirley is very particular, Motsi is fierce and beautiful and Anton I have heard is such a lovely person. Before that I was kind of like beating myself up and not understanding the routine, not grasping the technical aspects, and the position is still not there every time and it’s a lot to think about so it’s been very fast but I like to be professional and I like to do a good job, and I’ve had a great time! when you are touring there is no time, and I guess it is very much the same here. Wherever we all end up I’m frantically trying to prep the dinner and wrap the presents! We are doing the Waltz and we’ve gone for quality and there's a lot of quality there. It’s like walking into the Strictly Grotto.

The singer will perform the Waltz with her professional partner Giovanni Pernice in the festive special, which will air on Christmas Day, alongside stars ...

Giovanni added: 'She is really good, she picked it up slowly but with her background I can see that she is a good dancer. GEORGE SAYS: 'I love Strictly and have watched it every year. And I was like, ''Yes, why not?'' It's like walking into the Strictly Grotto.' Dance it out! Coming soon: Nicola Roberts has revealed she's already received tips from Kimberley Walsh as she prepares to take to the floor in the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special

The Girls Aloud star said that she initially struggled to learn her routine for the festive special, which will see her dance with Giovanni Pernice on ...

"There are a lot of good dancers as well, and it’s going to be fun!" And while the 37-year-old singer said that she had had a "great time" dancing, she admitted that she had struggled to perfect her routine. "I’m feeling competitive, I want to win!" Nicola also opened up about her time as one fifth of one of the most iconic pop groups as she compared her Strictly stint to her experience in Girls Aloud. Speaking of her fellow Christmas special contestants, Nicola said: "I haven’t seen anyone else’s dances but I think we’re all coming at it from different backgrounds. "It wasn’t until after the fourth session that I felt like we were in a good space." Nicola admitted that she had been quite tough on herself when it came to the festive special. "My process is quite slow," Nicola shared. It’s very hard to be competitive for a show like this, especially when everyone’s so lovely, and it’s the Christmas special and it’s a bit of fun." "I spent a long time in a girl band where I was girl band-ified for a long time, and then you step out of that world and you learn how to be you without of all of that," she said. EastEnders icon Larry Lamb, CBeebies presenter George Webster, Coronation Street actress Alexandra Mardell, DJ Rickie Haywood-Williams, and Tyneside's own Rosie Ramsey will also be putting their dance shoes on for the yuletide special. "So it’s been very fast, but I like to be professional and I like to do a good job, and I’ve had a great time!"

Nicola Roberts is one of the celebrities taking on the BBC Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special and she said it was difficult to learn the dance…

I’ll be dancing The Waltz under the glitter ball — Nicola Maria Roberts (@NicolaRoberts) There are a lot of good dancers as well, and it’s going to be fun!” 😍😍😍 I was looking for some fun and Strictly called! It wasn’t until after the fourth session that I felt like we were in a good space. [Hamza Yassin](https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/23198301.bbc-strictly-come-dancing-2022-hamza-yassin-wins/) and his partner Jowita Przystal lifted the glitterball trophy following the public vote. [Strictly](https://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/23184309.time-bbc-strictly-semi-final-results-show/) glitz and glamour. [Christmas](https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/23205743.6-ways-reuse-christmas-wrapping-paper/) special and it’s a bit of fun.” [Strictly](https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/23184476.bbc-strictly-come-dancing-week-12-leaderboard---see-scores/) professional Pasha Kovalev. [Nicola Roberts](https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/things-to-do/national/23165122.girls-aloud-star-nicola-roberts-joins-strictly-christmas-special-line-up/) is one of the celebrities taking on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special this year and she’s admitted to finding the routine difficult to learn. [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/20117459.bbc-eastenders-strictly-winner-rose-ayling-ellis-sign-cbeebies-bedtime-story/), added: “I’m feeling competitive, I want to win! [Strictly](https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/23152242.strictly-come-dancing-result-leaked-fans-fume-week-10-spoiler/) you don’t have the luxury of having time. [Giovanni Pernice](https://www.times-series.co.uk/leisure/national/19774828.rose-ayling-ellis-calls-strictly-dance-partner-giovanni-pernice-sweaty/) and she’s one of six celebrities taking on the challenge this festive period.

Nicola Roberts said at times she wanted "to strangle" her Strictly Come Dancing partner Giovanni Pernice as they strived for "perfection".

I was grateful because when I finally got to do the waltz, I was prepared and I knew I had followed direction as much as I could. As much as during the rehearsal process I might have wanted to strangle him. I mean band dancing where the audience is just at the front, you don't necessarily have to think about the ground, the technical element, the neck position. It's a good few week's training though and filming days but it's just the one show." The waltz is so technical and so different to anything I've done before. It's just the one show.

Nicola Roberts has made a brutal dig at Giovanni Pernice ahead of the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special. The former Girls Aloud singer has been busy ...

At the time her participation was announced, Nicola said: "It’s truly an honour to be part of Strictly, but to be invited on to the prestigious Christmas Day episode is something very special indeed. And as much as during the rehearsal process I might have wanted to strangle him, I was glad that I left the ballroom thinking I did a good job of the waltz." "I don't necessarily like the learning process because I lose concentration and Gio is very 'again, again, again'. The waltz is so technical and it's so different to anything I've done before," The former Girls Aloud singer has been busy rehearsing with the popular Strictly professional for the one-off festive instalment of the [BBC ](https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/all-about/bbc)dance competition, which will air on Christmas Day. Nicola discussed the upcoming Christmas special during an appearance on BBC's The One Show this week.

Nicola Roberts had admitted "I was beating myself up" after initially struggling to learn her dance routine for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.

She said: "Well I spent a long time in a girl band where I was girl band-ified for a long time, and then you step out of that world and you learn how to be you without of all of that. "Before that I was beating myself up and not understanding the routine, not grasping the technical aspects, and the position is still not there every time and it’s a lot to think about so it’s been very fast but I like to be professional and I like to do a good job, and I’ve had a great time!" "When you're in a band you have weeks to perfect a two hour show, so there’ll be certain numbers that you pick up quickly or the numbers that might take a good couple of weeks to really sink in, and that’s my process, that’s how I’ve learned over the years.

Nicola Roberts is one of the celebrities taking on the BBC Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special and she said it was difficult to learn the dance…

I’ll be dancing The Waltz under the glitter ball — Nicola Maria Roberts (@NicolaRoberts) There are a lot of good dancers as well, and it’s going to be fun!” 😍😍😍 I was looking for some fun and Strictly called! It wasn’t until after the fourth session that I felt like we were in a good space. [Hamza Yassin](https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/23198301.bbc-strictly-come-dancing-2022-hamza-yassin-wins/) and his partner Jowita Przystal lifted the glitterball trophy following the public vote. [Strictly](https://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/23184309.time-bbc-strictly-semi-final-results-show/) glitz and glamour. [Christmas](https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/23205743.6-ways-reuse-christmas-wrapping-paper/) special and it’s a bit of fun.” [Strictly](https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/23184476.bbc-strictly-come-dancing-week-12-leaderboard---see-scores/) professional Pasha Kovalev. [Nicola Roberts](https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/things-to-do/national/23165122.girls-aloud-star-nicola-roberts-joins-strictly-christmas-special-line-up/) is one of the celebrities taking on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special this year and she’s admitted to finding the routine difficult to learn. [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/20117459.bbc-eastenders-strictly-winner-rose-ayling-ellis-sign-cbeebies-bedtime-story/), added: “I’m feeling competitive, I want to win! [Strictly](https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/23152242.strictly-come-dancing-result-leaked-fans-fume-week-10-spoiler/) you don’t have the luxury of having time. [Giovanni Pernice](https://www.times-series.co.uk/leisure/national/19774828.rose-ayling-ellis-calls-strictly-dance-partner-giovanni-pernice-sweaty/) and she’s one of six celebrities taking on the challenge this festive period.

Nicola, 37, is one of six celebs taking part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.

It’s very hard to be competitive for a show like this, especially when everyone’s so lovely, and it’s the Christmas special and it’s a bit of fun.” For Nicola, her time with Girls Aloud means she is no stranger to the glitz and glamour of Strictly. Nicola, 37, is one of six celebs taking part in the show and has been partnered up 2021 winner Giovanni Pernice.

Nicola Roberts is one of the celebrities taking on the BBC Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special and she said it was difficult to learn the dance…

I’ll be dancing The Waltz under the glitter ball — Nicola Maria Roberts (@NicolaRoberts) There are a lot of good dancers as well, and it’s going to be fun!” 😍😍😍 I was looking for some fun and Strictly called! It wasn’t until after the fourth session that I felt like we were in a good space. [Hamza Yassin](https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/23198301.bbc-strictly-come-dancing-2022-hamza-yassin-wins/) and his partner Jowita Przystal lifted the glitterball trophy following the public vote. [Strictly](https://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/23184309.time-bbc-strictly-semi-final-results-show/) glitz and glamour. [Christmas](https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/23205743.6-ways-reuse-christmas-wrapping-paper/) special and it’s a bit of fun.” [Strictly](https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/23184476.bbc-strictly-come-dancing-week-12-leaderboard---see-scores/) professional Pasha Kovalev. [Nicola Roberts](https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/things-to-do/national/23165122.girls-aloud-star-nicola-roberts-joins-strictly-christmas-special-line-up/) is one of the celebrities taking on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special this year and she’s admitted to finding the routine difficult to learn. [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/20117459.bbc-eastenders-strictly-winner-rose-ayling-ellis-sign-cbeebies-bedtime-story/), added: “I’m feeling competitive, I want to win! [Strictly](https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/23152242.strictly-come-dancing-result-leaked-fans-fume-week-10-spoiler/) you don’t have the luxury of having time. [Giovanni Pernice](https://www.times-series.co.uk/leisure/national/19774828.rose-ayling-ellis-calls-strictly-dance-partner-giovanni-pernice-sweaty/) and she’s one of six celebrities taking on the challenge this festive period.

Nicola Roberts is one of the celebrities taking on the BBC Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special and she said it was difficult to learn the dance…

I’ll be dancing The Waltz under the glitter ball — Nicola Maria Roberts (@NicolaRoberts) There are a lot of good dancers as well, and it’s going to be fun!” 😍😍😍 I was looking for some fun and Strictly called! It wasn’t until after the fourth session that I felt like we were in a good space. [Hamza Yassin](https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/23198301.bbc-strictly-come-dancing-2022-hamza-yassin-wins/) and his partner Jowita Przystal lifted the glitterball trophy following the public vote. [Strictly](https://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/23184309.time-bbc-strictly-semi-final-results-show/) glitz and glamour. [Christmas](https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/23205743.6-ways-reuse-christmas-wrapping-paper/) special and it’s a bit of fun.” [Strictly](https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/23184476.bbc-strictly-come-dancing-week-12-leaderboard---see-scores/) professional Pasha Kovalev. [Nicola Roberts](https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/things-to-do/national/23165122.girls-aloud-star-nicola-roberts-joins-strictly-christmas-special-line-up/) is one of the celebrities taking on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special this year and she’s admitted to finding the routine difficult to learn. [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/20117459.bbc-eastenders-strictly-winner-rose-ayling-ellis-sign-cbeebies-bedtime-story/), added: “I’m feeling competitive, I want to win! [Strictly](https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/23152242.strictly-come-dancing-result-leaked-fans-fume-week-10-spoiler/) you don’t have the luxury of having time. [Giovanni Pernice](https://www.times-series.co.uk/leisure/national/19774828.rose-ayling-ellis-calls-strictly-dance-partner-giovanni-pernice-sweaty/) and she’s one of six celebrities taking on the challenge this festive period.

Nicola, 37, is one of six celebs taking part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.

It’s very hard to be competitive for a show like this, especially when everyone’s so lovely, and it’s the Christmas special and it’s a bit of fun.” For Nicola, her time with Girls Aloud means she is no stranger to the glitz and glamour of Strictly. Nicola, 37, is one of six celebs taking part in the show and has been partnered up 2021 winner Giovanni Pernice.

Nicola Roberts is one of the celebrities taking on the BBC Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special and she said it was difficult to learn the dance…

I’ll be dancing The Waltz under the glitter ball — Nicola Maria Roberts (@NicolaRoberts) There are a lot of good dancers as well, and it’s going to be fun!” 😍😍😍 I was looking for some fun and Strictly called! It wasn’t until after the fourth session that I felt like we were in a good space. [Hamza Yassin](https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/23198301.bbc-strictly-come-dancing-2022-hamza-yassin-wins/) and his partner Jowita Przystal lifted the glitterball trophy following the public vote. [Strictly](https://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/23184309.time-bbc-strictly-semi-final-results-show/) glitz and glamour. [Christmas](https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/23205743.6-ways-reuse-christmas-wrapping-paper/) special and it’s a bit of fun.” [Strictly](https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/23184476.bbc-strictly-come-dancing-week-12-leaderboard---see-scores/) professional Pasha Kovalev. [Nicola Roberts](https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/things-to-do/national/23165122.girls-aloud-star-nicola-roberts-joins-strictly-christmas-special-line-up/) is one of the celebrities taking on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special this year and she’s admitted to finding the routine difficult to learn. [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/20117459.bbc-eastenders-strictly-winner-rose-ayling-ellis-sign-cbeebies-bedtime-story/), added: “I’m feeling competitive, I want to win! [Strictly](https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/23152242.strictly-come-dancing-result-leaked-fans-fume-week-10-spoiler/) you don’t have the luxury of having time. [Giovanni Pernice](https://www.times-series.co.uk/leisure/national/19774828.rose-ayling-ellis-calls-strictly-dance-partner-giovanni-pernice-sweaty/) and she’s one of six celebrities taking on the challenge this festive period.

Nicola, 37, confessed that her process to learn the dance has been 'quite slow,' and it wasn't until her fourth training session she started to grasp the ...

GEORGE SAYS: 'I love Strictly and have watched it every year. And I was like, ''Yes, why not?'' It's like walking into the Strictly Grotto.' Giovanni added: 'She is really good, she picked it up slowly but with her background I can see that she is a good dancer. 'I left the meeting and I got the call saying would you like to do the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special? Dance it out!

Nicola, 37, is one of six celebs taking part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.

It’s very hard to be competitive for a show like this, especially when everyone’s so lovely, and it’s the Christmas special and it’s a bit of fun.” For Nicola, her time with Girls Aloud means she is no stranger to the glitz and glamour of Strictly. Nicola, 37, is one of six celebs taking part in the show and has been partnered up 2021 winner Giovanni Pernice.

The Girls Aloud star will be dancing in the Strictly Christmas special.

[Strictly Come Dancing](https://www.mylondon.news/all-about/strictly-come-dancing) with actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, added: "I’m feeling competitive, I want to win! Last year saw singer Anne-Marie and professional dancer Graziano Di Prima crowned the winner of the 2021 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special. And now I’m back in the machine just for a couple of weeks where I’m being plied with glitter and sequined dresses and dressed as Santa’s helper, and I said I wanted fun and it has been fun." Before that I was beating myself up and not understanding the routine, not grasping the technical aspects, and the position is still not there every time and it’s a lot to think about so it’s been very fast but I like to be professional and I like to do a good job, and I’ve had a great time!" When you’re in a band you have weeks to perfect a two hour show, so there’ll be certain numbers that you pick up quickly or the numbers that might take a good couple of weeks to really sink in, and that’s my process, that’s how I’ve learned over the years." Strictly Come Dancing star Nicola Roberts has opened up about her struggles in training with partner Giovanni Pernice for the Christmas special.

Girls Aloud bandmate Nicola Roberts has opened up about her experience on Strictly Come Dancing, only days before viewers are set to find out how she fared ...

"There are a lot of good dancers as well, and it’s going to be fun!" "I’m feeling competitive, I want to win!" "It wasn’t until after the fourth session that I felt like we were in a good space." Speaking of her fellow Christmas special contestants, Nicola said: "I haven’t seen anyone else’s dances but I think we’re all coming at it from different backgrounds. Nicola admitted that she had been quite tough on herself when it came to the festive special. "My process is quite slow," Nicola shared.