Katie Piper is one of the stars confirmed to be taking part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, and while the TV presenter, model and author is used to being in front of cameras and an audience, she’s revealed why dance training will be hard for her.
Katie was subjected to a violent acid attack in 2008, organised by her ex-boyfriend at the time. She was covered in sulphuric acid and was left blind in one eye and in need of hundreds of operations.
The lasting effects of her ordeal will add another layer of difficulty to her Strictly training, Katie told the Mirror.
“The respiratory problem makes training a bit harder. I tried to practise some steps and can’t really move my head back because of a band of scar tissue that starts at the top of my head,” she said.
“Everyone will be like, ‘Why’s she pulling that funny face?’ and I’ll be like, ‘No, that’s my face!’”
MORE: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT STRICTLY COME DANCING 2018
Katie has no peripheral vision in her left eye, although she is no longer blind in it as she underwent a cornea transplant.
“It will be hard with my eyesight. If you cover one eye and think you can’t see your peripheral, that is harder with dancing, steps and anticipating your partner,” she explained.
In spite of these challenges, Katie is “super excited” to dance on Strictly this year, and we can’t wait to watch her perform!
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One later this year.
[H/t: The Mirror]
(Main image: Getty)
