BBC Strictly Come Dancing star says show is 'cult' which left her needing marriage counselling

The singer, who was partnered with Brendan Cole on the BBC dance contest in 2013, says some of the expectations placed on her were rather harsh.

A BBC Strictly Come Dancing star has accused the show of being a CULT which left her needing therapy. The singer, who was partnered with Brendan Cole on the BBC dance contest in 2013, says some of the expectations placed on her were rather harsh.

Sophie has even gone as far as to say it put a strain on her marriage. Sophie's is married to Richard Jones, a musician in the band The Feeling, and she said he "struggled" with her being on the show. The singer admitted during a previous interview on ITV Lorraine that being separated from him gave them a "wobble" - and that he even had counselling to cope.

Sophie said: "Brendan was brilliant, because right from day one his bit of advice was to involve my friends and my family. Whenever they could, they would come along, but it's a very intense experience and for Richard, he did struggle with it, which obviously in turn made me struggle.

READ MORE UK faces -5C snow within days and one part of England will be 'worst hit'

"But he did get counselling and help and support, which allowed us both to enjoy it a lot more." She added: "I suppose, Strictly has got so much about it that is glorious and joyful, but I think if they just had a little bit more of emotional support it would have definitely improved my experience."

On the What If podcast, Sophie said: “You’ve been trying really hard so if they say, ‘Oh, that wasn’t very sexy’, well, was I being me? Or do I push it further? And if I do that, can I then go back to how I normally am? You know, there’s all these edges of yourself and how you present yourself. So once you put yourself in the hands of other people, it’s just about making sure you sleep well at night at the end of it, I guess.”

Sophie went on to insist that she "loved" being on Strictly, however she has since claimed she was told she "wasn't sexy" by show bosses.