Elizabeth Hurley says 'sadly' as she shares painful reason for turning down Strictly

Model Elizabeth Hurley has shared the painful reason why she would turn down Strictly Come Dancing if she was asked to take part in the popular BBC show.

The 59-year-old, made a cameo in 2020 when she appeared via video link, told the Guardian that the reason why she wouldn't necessarily take part was because of how many injuries she had sustained in the past. Despite this, she said she’d love to learn how to dance the “sensual” rumba.

She explained: “Sadly, I have too many injuries sustained when filming. I have a prolapsed disc, ripped ligaments in my ankle and a dodgy shoulder.

“If I were fighting fit, I would love to learn the achingly sensual rumba. My favourite contestant ever was Abbey Clancy, who’d never danced before and was brilliant in the final.”

During the interview, Elizabeth all discussed what she would change if – hypothetically – she was Queen for the day. In response she said she would get rid of a common accessory found in many cars, the air freshener alongside restrictions on ultra-processed foods (UPFs).

She said: “If I were the real Queen, I’d outlaw air fresheners in cars. I’d pass a law obliging food manufacturers to put large UPF stickers on ultra-processed foods.

“I’d ban prison sentences for white-collar criminals and make them give back to the community instead – imagine if Lester Piggot had to teach inner-city kids to ride horses. And I’d lock up violent criminals for longer.”

Elizabeth’s comments come as she continues her acting career and fronts this year’s Debenhams Christmas campaign. On what she would sell if she was a department store called Hurley’s she said: “Vintage clothes.

“I wear mostly my old vintage stuff, like a black cashmere jumper with snowflakes on it that I’ve had for over 20 years. I loved being part of the Debenhams Christmas campaign, especially as I am lazy and do most of my shopping online.”

In recent weeks, Elizabeth Hurley has been attending events alongside her son, actor and model 22 year old Damian Hurley. Earlier this year, Elizabeth starred in a film directed and written by her son titled ‘Strictly Confidential’, a movie that she also co-produced.