Strictly star Sam Quek insists the BBC One dance show is a safe place for women to compete, amid claims the recent bullying scandal led to only six female celebrities signing up for this year’s series.
Speaking exclusively to , the former Team GB hockey ace, 36, also opened up for the first time about long-running show A Question of Sport being axed after 53 years, just two series into her stint as team captain.
The mother-of-two is hoping to make a return to prime time television following her endeavours on Strictly, in which she’s safely progressed through to this weekend’s Halloween special alongside pro partner Nikita Kuzmin, 26.
This year’s series has been overshadowed by the recent bullying scandal which rocked the show, resulting in two Italian dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima leaving following complaints from their respective partners Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott.
However, Sam believes female stars should not be put off signing up for future series, after only six female celebrities, compared to nine males, made the 2024 line-up.
Asked if she would recommend Strictly to women, Sam said: ‘Yes, absolutely. The show has been one of the most rewarding things that I have done.
‘It’s easy to say you can learn how to dance, which is amazing, but you also learn a lot about yourself. With dancing, I struggled a lot with my self-belief of being able to execute a dance but if you put the work in you can get the product out on a Saturday night.
‘It’s the resilience really and being able to push yourself. With this, you get out what you put in.’
She continued: ‘Away from the dancing and the TV show, it is so much fun, the crew, the staff, the talent, the pro dancers, everyone is so lovely.
Strictly’s Sam Quek insists the BBC One dance show is a safe place for women to compete, amid claims the recent bullying scandal led to only six female celebrities signing up to
Sam is hoping to make a return to prime time television following her endeavours on Strictly, in which she’s progressed through to this week’s Halloween special with partner Nikita Kuzmin
This year’s series has been overshadowed by the recent bullying scandal which rocked the show, resulting in two Italian dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima leaving
The former Team GB hockey ace also opened up for the first time about long-running show A Question of Sport being axed after 53 years, just two series into her stint as team captain
‘My favourite bit is when I go in on a Friday and Saturday because I love to be surrounded by people.’
And on feeling ‘safe’, Sam added: ‘I have always felt safe in everything I have done with Strictly. I have never done it before, but I turn up to the training room, we all say ‘hi’ and have a nice chat, nothing feels out of place.’
Sam’s foray onto Strictly is her first notable appearance on the BBC since A Question of Sport was axed in December last year.
The Olympic Gold medalist was part of the show’s controversial shake-up, which saw popular presenter Sue Barker replaced by comedian Paddy McGuinness as host, plus Sam and rugby star Ugo Monye take over from rugby legend Matt Dawson and cricketer Phil Tufnell as team captains.
In 2021, the new line-up was blasted by fans and even felt the wrath of Jeremy Clarkson, who tweeted at the time: ‘What on earth has happened to A Question of Sport?’
The revamped show was axed after just two series, but Sam, who won Gold for Great Britain at the 2016 Olympics, says she is not bitter about the BBC’s decision – and insists she received plenty of support from viewers.
She explained: ‘I don’t remember the trolling being that bad to be honest. I thought everyone was really positive towards me.
‘I was the first female captain in 50 years, everyone was saying how well deserved it was, I am such a sports geek that the knowledge naturally came to me.
Sam’s foray onto Strictly is her first notable appearance on the BBC since A Question of Sport was axed in December last year
The revamped show was axed after just two series, but Sam, who won Gold for Great Britain at the 2016 Olympics, says she is not bitter about the BBC’s decision
Sam admits she is still getting used to wearing sexy costumes on Strictly and says being dressed in the glamorous looks has pushed her out of her ‘comfort zone’
On Saturday night, Sam and Nikita will be performing a jive to Time Warp from the Rocky Horror Show during the Strictly Halloween special
‘I still read up on most sport headlines around the world and country because I feel like I can relate especially to Olympic athletes. I root for them all.
‘I was really fortunate to be honest with you, I didn’t experience too much trolling.’
On her future TV aspirations, she added: ‘I would love to get back into entertainment presenting, especially after 6pm.
‘I love dogs, I love children, maybe some sort of house renovation show, I feel like the world is my oyster and I am back where I need to be after having children.’
Starring on Strictly will certainly put her back into public consciousness and she’s tipped to progress further into the competition by the bookies.
But there is one aspect about the show she is still getting used to, something that really pushes Sam out of her ‘comfort zone’ – wearing sexy costumes.
Sam explained: ‘I have been apprehensive about the outfits, I’m not going to lie.
‘When I walk in and get told what I’m wearing and how my hair and makeup is going to go, I’m like oh my God, okay, I feel majorly out of my comfort zone and feel like I’m going to look ridiculous but I trust the process and I trust hair and makeup and costume, they have done it before and know what works.
Sam is thankful to professional dance partner Nikita for travelling up north for their rehearsals so she doesn’t spend too long apart from her husband Tom and children Molly and Isaac
Despite being a gold medal-winning Olympian, Sam says she finds exercising difficult following the birth of her two children and the dance rehearsals are proving tough on her body
‘When it all comes together and you’re on the floor with your partner it all makes sense. I have always made that promise with myself… If I’m going to do it, do it properly.’
Sam is honest to admit her dancing talents pale in comparison to co-stars Tasha Ghouri, Jamie Borthwick and Sarah Hadland, but her natural competitiveness born from a career in sport ensures she’s determined to progress as far as possible in the competition – and potentially lift the Glitter Ball.
She’s currently balancing training with looking after her two children Molly, three, and Isaac, two, with her ‘hands-on’ property guru husband Tom Mairs, who is picking up the slack when Sam is away filming and rehearsing – which is both in the south and north of England, where she is based.
And being apart from her husband and young family has been harder than Sam anticipated.
Sam explained: ‘It has been really difficult. I am a hands-on mum because I love that and my husband is the same, he is really hands-on, so there’s no way I could do this without him.
‘This week in particular I haven’t been home since last Wednesday, which I have found tough. My children are older and recognise it and say they are missing me and want me to come home. I know they are absolutely fine because they are being kept busy. With Strictly as well you never know when it is going to end.’
Despite being a gold medal-winning sportswoman, Sam says fitness is something she has to work on and employs a personal trainer as she struggles to muster the motivation to work out.
But she has admitted her body has changed since doing Strictly – likewise her appetite.
Sam added: ‘I have noticed some changes to my body. With the hours of training, I need to make sure I’m eating enough.
‘The hunger I have doing Strictly is the same as the hunger I felt with Team GB because your body is burning a lot of calories. I have lost a bit of muscle mass too actually so I can tell the difference.
‘I need to have a good muscle mass around my glutes and core to make sure I don’t get a sore back. After two C sections and 15+ years at international hockey, you have to stay strong.’