'Strictly Come Dancing' star Nina Wadia has lost weight after she started training for the show.
Nina Wadia
The former 'EastEnders' actress, 52, has danced her way to dropping "a couple of dress sizes" in preparation for the latest series of the BBC Latin and ballroom programme.
She said: "It’s ridiculous how quickly the weight just drops off you after a bit of dancing. I think what was offered initially was about six hours [of training per day], but I think I’m probably going to be doing 12 or 13 hours. Because it’s going to take me that extra time to get it all done."
However, the reality of competing in such a juggernaut show only dawned on the former soap star - who is best known for playing Albert Square resident Zainab Masood between 2007 and 2013 - after her reveal was announced on ITV chat show 'Lorraine'.
She said: "When my reveal was done on 'Lorraine' I came off set and I thought, ‘I’m going to throw up’."
Nina went on to explain that while she has no problem learning lines on set, perfecting the moves for her 'Strictly' routines is very different.
She is quoted by the Daily Mirror newspaper as saying: "My fear is remembering the choreography. With lines, I’m used to it as an actor. But choreography is a different memory."
The 'Strictly' launch show took place on Saturday (18.09.21), and viewers tuned in to see Nina paired with Neil Jones, 39, who placed fifth in Series 17 alongside 'Match of the Day' pundit Alex Scott, 36.
Nina joins a line up which features ex-Corrie star Katie McGlynn, 28 and 'Loose Women' panellist, Judi Love, 40, among others.
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