Joanne Clifton is holding off knee surgery because she fears she "might not be able to dance again".
Joanne Clifton
The former 'Strictly Come Dancing' professional - who is the sister of fellow dancer Kevin Clifton - suffers from osteoarthritis and has been told by doctors that she requires an operation on both knees, but she is deliberating over surgery.
She told the Express: "I need operating on both (knees) because they’ve all worn away, all the cartilage and stuff's got all holes in it and everything like that.
"So I need a little surgery on them. I just feel like if I do that I might not be able to dance the same again."
Since quitting the BBC One Latin and ballroom show in 2017, Joanne has turned to a career in theatre because she can fall back on singing and acting if she can no longer dance.
She continued: "This is why I'm moving more and more into the singing and acting side, because you know that singing and acting doesn't matter if you can't really dance as much anymore.
"I am 37 I'm not gonna be dancing the best I’ve ever danced you know. I’m not going to be able to dance forever, am I?"
The performer also revealed that she was in a lot of pain during the 2016 'Strictly' final - which saw her lift the glitterball trophy with Ore Oduba - and Karen Hauer was her backup if she couldn't complete the competition.
She said: "Even in the 'Strictly' final, there is a picture online somewhere of my knees in the dress run that we do and I’ve got them all strapped up and stuff.
"We were actually worried whether I could actually go on and do the final that year, they got the backup, I think it was Karen, to learn my routines ready to go on if I just couldn't walk anymore."
Despite being told not to run or do vigorous exercise, Joanne finds keeping active is "better" for her, though she does suffer afterwards.
She added: "I actually find it better to do more, the more I carry on dancing and the more I go for long walks every morning now and running.
“So I just keep on going and yeah, I get moments when they do hurt and stuff like that, I've got to take supplements and all sorts."