Stacey Dooley has revealed that Strictly Come Dancing producers pre-warn celebrity contestants about the public's interest in their personal lives before they take part in the show.
The documentary filmmaker - who won the BBC One competition with now-boyfriend Kevin Clifton in 2018 - recalled how she was plainly informed by the show's executive that she would be subjected to gossip and rumours.
"They [producers] are fairly forthcoming at the start. They are quite transparent. The exec will sit you down and say that there's this insatiable appetite for information and gossip surrounding Strictly," Stacey told Nihal Arthanayake on BBC Radio 5 Live on Thursday.
"They explain that there will be people desperate to ask you questions and know about your personal life," the 33-year-old TV presenter continued. "I definitely underestimated the enormity of the show. If you do that show, unfortunately, it's one of the negatives that comes with it… but the positives far outweigh the negatives."
The star was self-deprecating as she described herself as "painfully dull" and therefore couldn't comprehend why paparazzi would camp outside her home.
"The thing is, I’m painfully dull. I am so boring, I have these people stood outside my house, I don't know what they expect to see, because it’s me taking out the bins in my tracksuit," she admitted.
Stacey recently paid tribute to professional dancer Kevin after he revealed he was leaving the show after seven years. Kevin has announced that his first role post-Strictly will be as the lead in Baz Luhrmann musical Strictly Ballroom The Musical.
Posting a picture of herself with Kevin, Stacey wrote the caption: "...[He] will always be the King of Strictly. Well done darlin. Watch this space!!!!"
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