Reality TV queen Vicky Pattison opens up about her intense nerves on Strictly Come Dancing, her life with hubby Ercan and why she’ll never take everything she’s achieved for granted
Catching up with Vicky Pattison is an instant mood lift, especially on a Monday morning. On her way to Strictly training, the 37-year-old Newcastle star radiates a mix of excitement, nerves, and enthusiasm.
Over her 15-year career, she’s racked up a string of achievements, including winning I’m A Celeb, appearing on Loose Women, and hosting podcasts and radio shows.
Now, appearing on Strictly is pushing her far beyond her comfort zone, and she’s loving it. “I can’t believe my luck most days,” she admits, before heading off to find a dance shoe. “I love my job and I’m scared all the time that it will just go away.
I probably do have imposter syndrome, but I don’t dwell on it because it makes me uncomfortable. I’ve never thought, ‘I’m the duck’s nuts’ – that would be gross. I’d rather stay nervous than become complacent.”
Despite appearing on the nation’s most beloved TV show, seeing her collection – which includes a red velvet jumpsuit and a gold sequin mini dress “for all bodies” – in what is still one of her go-to high street stores, is a “pinch-me moment”.
“When you’re younger, I think you dress to fit in,” she says. “But now it’s about being yourself. I don’t care what fellas think, I care about how I feel, and I dress for the moments in the girls’ bathroom where someone says, ‘Ooh, where did you get that dress?’
Vicky explained, “My goal was to make women feel amazing this party season, like the goddesses they are, without breaking the bank. It’s all about inclusivity and representation.”
But fame comes with scrutiny. She admits it hasn’t always been easy. “Learning to handle that level of attention and criticism in my formative adult years was a baptism of fire. I was probably always a hyper-sensitive person, and that made it even tougher.
“I’m not complaining—I love my life—but I’m not going to pretend it doesn’t get to me. It’s human nature to want to be liked. Some of it rolls off, some of it really stings.”
Vicky is determined to use her platform meaningfully. She says, “I could post glam pics and holiday snaps all day, but what’s the point? You can’t please everyone. If you’re doing what you believe is right and can sleep at night, who cares what Sharon in Sudbury thinks?” She adds with a laugh, “Oh, and if there are any Sharons in Sudbury, I don’t think badly of you!”
She also co-hosts the Get A Grip podcast with friend and former Strictly star Angela Scanlon, described as “the funniest, most honest group chat you’ll ever be part of,” covering everything from the messy realities of womanhood to celebrity gossip, global news, and everyday life.
Vicky recently celebrated her best friend Pete Wicks selling out the O2 with Sam Thompson for a special live podcast. Could she and Angela ever do the same? “No, that makes me want a Pepto-Bismol,” she laughs. “What Pete and Sam did is amazing. The energy is similar, and working with Ange is a dream, but as a nervous girlie, the O2 isn’t in my locker yet. Getting the podcast into more ears would be great, though.”
Vicky’s Strictly journey is already giving her a confidence boost. Paired with Kai Widdrington, she earned a solid score of 23 in the first live show.
She’s been candid about her nerves, but says her fellow contestants have been incredibly supportive. “Chris Robshaw gives me a big brother bear hug every time I see him, and Ross King holds my hand. Kaz [Carney] and Bal [Sopal] are my girls too. I’ve spent a lot of time on reality TV, which usually thrives on big personalities clashing, but Strictly is the opposite – everyone’s just so lovely.”
Vicky still remembers watching her best friend Pete dance with Jowita Przystał last year, and telling her mum and manager she would “never” step on that famous dance floor herself.
“It’s weird because Strictly had been on my vision board for years, so I don’t know what happened. I was fearless in my 20s, like there was nothing I couldn’t do. At the end of the interview before going into the I’m A Celeb jungle, I remember they asked me, ‘Is there anything else you’d like to add?’ I just said, ‘I’ll be really good at this.’ Who was that girl? Now I’d probably say, ‘Thanks so much for considering me.’
“Self doubt has come as a real shock to me. It’s probably got a lot to do with my PMDD [Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder]. But ultimately, for the last couple of years, I’ve known I wouldn’t deal with the stress of Strictly easily.
“On the other hand, I know that nothing great happens in your comfort zone. I love my sofa as much as the next person, but nothing brilliant has happened on there for a long time. It’s just me and the dogs watching Buffy T he Vampire Slayer . So if I want to have the career I want, or people to see me the way I want, I have to do scary things sometimes. I half expected myself to be this way. It’s not my favourite thing about myself, but it’s who I am.”
Having husband of 14 months Ercan Ramadan and dogs Max and Milo cheering her on helps, she says. And without wanting to make Ercan “sound like a 1950s housewife”, he takes care of everything at their Essex home so she can just relax.
“He’s the best husband,” she grins. “Not only is he super supportive, but the relationship dynamic is incredibly healthy, it’s not toxic at all. I’m normal and this is what I’ve always wanted, to be loved by a nice man and have a boring home life, and I’ve got it.
“If I didn’t know I was coming home to Erc and the dogs, I don’t know who I’d be. Probably a miserable cow! I couldn’t cope with Strictly without them. In fact I couldn’t cope with anything without them.”
Even with intense nerves and the nonstop physical and mental demands of Strictly, Vicky refuses to quit.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’ve trekked through deserts, skied through the Arctic, jumped backwards out of helicopters, and even had kangaroo balls in my mouth. Strictly is tough and I’m nervous, but there’s no way I’d send a message to little girls watching that it’s okay to give up. You dig deep, lean on those who love you, and that’s how you get stronger and braver.”
Looking ahead, Vicky says she and Ercan will celebrate their first Christmas at home, hoping for “lots of cheese and watching Elf.”
“Next year is about making more incredible memories with family and friends,” she adds. “We got married last year, which was amazing, but I didn’t get to see everyone as much as I wanted. My niece is growing up fast, and I’d love to spend more time with her before she decides I’m seriously uncool. And hopefully, I’ll get a chance to start a family of my own too, if I can find the time.”