Rachel Riley says Strictly Come Dancing also left her with PTSD amid row over ... trends now
Countdown presenter Rachel Riley says Strictly Come Dancing left her with PTSD after her appearance on the show in 2013.
The TV personality is now calling for all Strictly Come Dancing contestants to receive cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
‘I know from my time on it, 11 years ago, even the most sane, solid, grounded people, it can do something to you,’ she said at the Inspiration Awards For Women at The Landmark Hotel in London.
‘And there’s so many people that I’ve seen in subsequent years that have that shared experience. I don’t think even production are aware of quite what it does to people.’
Riley, 38, who is married to ex-Strictly dancer Pasha Kovalev, adds: ‘When I was doing it, I was recommended CBT, and I think that’s actually been really great.’
Riley's admission comes after Strictly contestant Amanda Abbington's explosive exit mid series from the BBC show.
Countdown presenter Rachel Riley pictured with her partner Pasha Kovalev on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013. The TV presenter says her time on the show gave her mild PTSD
Riley pictured at the Inspiration Awards For Women 2024. She is now calling for better support and for contestants to receive cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Amanda Abbington appeared exhausted and downbeat in rehearsal snaps - she later quit the show in a shock move last year
CBT is a talking therapy that can help patients manage problems by altering the way they think about them.
It's often used to treat anxiety, depression and PTSD and focuses on improving a person's state of mind.
A course of treatment with an NHS therapist can usually be between six and 20 hour-long sessions.
Riley is not the first to reveal their time on Strictly was truamatic.
Last year Abington quit the show due to 'personal reasons' amid claims of a feud between her and Giovanni Pernice, 33.
She was left so shaken from her experience that she demanded footage of their rehearsals to back up her claim of PTSD.
Abbington, who starred on BBC drama Sherlock, has since dropped her complaint against the BBC and sources at the corporation say the ‘matter is now closed’ and they have ‘moved on’.
The actress was also seeking legal advice over Pernice's alleged behaviour towards her.
Giovanni Pernice defended his teaching style by describing himself as a perfectionist who wanted to get the best results out of Abbington
Abbington and Pernice dancing on the BBC show - the actress had previously received standing ovations from the judges
