Strictly Come Dancing star Rhys Stephenson, who competed in the 2021 series of the hit show, has revealed that Strictly bosses have therapists on site to help cope with the “stress” of the show.
During an intimate chat about The Diana Award on ‘The Big Anti-Bullying Assembly 2022’, Rhys, 28, exclusively told OK!: “We had a lot of support. They have their own therapists in there. They've got people that who you can talk to if you're feeling lonely, because I mean, they know it can be a very stressful show in a very scary show.”
The TV presenter made it far into the competition last year, being the 11th contestant to make his exit alongside professional dance partner Nancy Xu, 31.
He also spoke about the support he received during his time on the show and revealed everyone was “amazing”.
He said: “But you know what? I had the contestants, everyone was amazing. I remember when I had my first bottom two the messages I got from everyone else on the show… You know people like Dan, Judi and Tilly like they all checked in on me.
He continued: “I was surprised, like 'This is nothing new. Like everyone always gets into the bottom two, why does it matter?' But that's what's so lovely. No one cares about the competition side, they just care that we're all enjoying ourselves.”
He recalled the “fun” involved in being part of the iconic show.
“And it's not fun to see another contestant, even if you're in a competition together, not enjoying it. Otherwise, what are we doing this for? So I had, I had fun with the other contestants, they all looked after me. So I didn't even need it [therapy], really. I had those guys, and I still have them,” he told OK!
Rhys also revealed that there were nerves over performing a routine in front of the judging panel and at times it did get the better of him.
"I really couldn't eat anything before the show on a Saturday," he explained ahead of the start of the 2022 series. "I remember they were trying to encourage me to eat food, like like a mother."
He said: "The only thing I could really have was soup. Whenever there was soup on the menu I was like, 'Give me that, just let me select that'. And then once the show was finished, my stomach opened up and I could go with anything."
‘The Big Anti-Bullying Assembly’ from The Diana Award and Nationwide Building Society will be beamed into primary schools and homes nationwide on 3rd October 2022. To sign up to watch the assembly, download free resource packs and for more information visit www.thebigantibullyingassembly.com.
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