They’re known for their steamy dances – and occasional flash of derriere – but Strictly Come Dancing star Victoria Pendleton has admitted she doesn’t like getting up close with Brendan Cole.
The Olympic cycling star said Saturday's tango, in which she secured second place, was easier because she could keep her distance from her dance partner.
Pendleton, who is due to marry her fiancé Scott Gardner next summer, told the Radio Times: “As lovely as Brendan is, he’s not my fiancé, so dancing the tango, which involves staying away from each other as opposed to pretending to be in love with each other, was really enjoyable for me.
“I’m not an actress, so pretending to be in love with someone for a week is actually quite hard.”
The 32-year-old admitted she couldn’t bear watching herself back on TV, saying: "Brendan made me watch our rumba to show me that it wasn't as bad as I thought it was - but I found it so painful...so Brendan watches our performances and gives me the feedback."
But she said her mother is a big Strictly fan. "She is so glad to see me doing something other than cycling,” she said. “She used to find watching me on the track really stressful and didn't handle it very well.”
