Sophie Ellis-Bextor returns to Strictly Come Dancing after saying show was ‘like a cult’

Sophie Ellis-Bextor is set to grace the Strictly ballroom on tonight's results show, performing her new single Freedom Of The Night alongside Strictly professional dancers Neil Jones and Nadiya Bychkova.

In addition to Sophie'd performance, the professional dancers will showcase a Paso Doble to Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood by Santa Esmeralda. Both performances are scheduled to air in the Strictly Come Dancing results show tonight at 19:20 on BBC One and iPlayer, reports the Express.

It comes after Sophie opened up about how her husband, Richard Jones, needed counselling following her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013, the Mirror reports. The 'Murder on the Dance Floor' singer was paired with Brendan Cole on the BBC show. Despite describing Brendan as a "complete gentleman", Sophie revealed that Richard, father to their five children, found it difficult.

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She confessed that the physical intimacy required for the show was challenging for her, and Richard began to struggle with her involvement from the get-go. Sophie recalled: "It was so hard for him that I can remember wondering if they'd ever had a contestant walk away from the show before they'd even danced their first dance."

Sophie also noted that she observed other contestants' relationships under strain during her time on the show. Speaking to the Mail, she shared that there were three marriage break-ups and two Strictly babies born among her fellow contestants and their dance partners.

Discussing the impact of the infamous Strictly curse on Richard, Sophie said: "Richard was feeling left out in the cold. He was worried he was losing me. Not that I was going to run off with anyone – he liked Brendan and knew that nothing was going to happen there – but I think he thought that something was awakening in me and he felt he wasn't part of my future."

Sophie opened up about the intense pressure her husband felt while she was on Strictly, revealing he would "spiral" if she didn't respond to his texts and constantly needed to know her whereabouts. She lamented the lack of emotional support from the show, saying: "There's no emotional care at all – aside from the wisdom and make-up-chair counsel of the folk working backstage." Sophie also shared that Richard sought counselling after a month of her being on the show, which "really helped". Highlighting the tough role of the dancers, she described them as having to be "choreographer, dancer and occasional psychiatrist."

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