Strictly's Trauma: Rachel Riley's PTSD Reveals Show's Dark Side
Rachel Riley, the former Countdown star, has opened up about her experience on Strictly Come Dancing, revealing that the show left her with PTSD symptoms. Despite falling in love with her dance partner, Pasha Kovalev, Riley describes the experience as a "hostage situation" due to overwhelming stage fright.
Her comments come at a time when Strictly is facing intense scrutiny over conduct allegations. A third dancer has been named in an internal investigation, following allegations against Giovanni Pernice, which he denies, and Graziano Di Prima, who has since apologized for his actions.
Riley, who participated in the 2013 series, shared her experience on the High Performance podcast, highlighting the immense pressure and emotional strain that comes with the show. She described the weekly routine, which involves learning a new dance every week and then performing in front of millions on live television, as incredibly daunting.
"You go in there on a Sunday to learn a new dance and on the Saturday you're dancing in front of 10 million people," Riley explained. "Then you get the judges' comments and it would be like the end of the world."
Riley revealed that she sought professional help after her time on Strictly due to the emotional toll it took on her. "A lot of people who have done it can relate," she said. "It's like a trauma bonding, hostage situation, not with your partner but with the show."
Despite the difficulties, Riley acknowledged the positive aspects of the show, like the endorphins from training and the sense of accomplishment. However, the intensity and pressure, coupled with the public scrutiny, left a lasting impact on her.
"The dancing thing was quite scary and it brings up a lot of emotions," she shared. "Each year Pasha would do it, I would remember what happened my week and all of the emotions and that and then the next person, I would be over empathizing and each year was layers of memories and I didnât enjoy it."
Riley's experience echoes the growing concern surrounding Strictly's backstage culture. The recent allegations, along with Riley's candid account, have prompted the BBC to announce they are taking action to address the issues and make necessary changes to the show.
The investigation into Strictly's conduct continues, and the show's future remains uncertain. However, Riley's story serves as a stark reminder of the potential negative impacts of the show's demanding environment, and the need for greater support and awareness surrounding the emotional wellbeing of participants.
