FOR many celebs, appearing on Strictly Come Dancing is top of their wish list.
After years of turning the BBC show down, Angela Scanlon, 41, finally accepted the offer in 2023 - but in hindsight, perhaps it wasn't the best of ideas, Angela revealed in our new parenting vodcast No Parental Guidance.
Before that, the Irish TV presenter was ''too afraid to be seen as not clever or funny or smart enough'', she told Fabulous in 2024.
However, the mum-of-two gave it some thought and realised there were ''loads of things'' she could gain from the experience.
For the 41-year-old, it was also about taking part in something purely for herself, after having her second child, Marnie, now three, in 2022.
She also has Ruby, seven, with husband Roy Horgan, 43, who works in tech.
Now, a few years later, Angela has openly spoken about her experience of appearing on the cult favourite show as a mother who had an 18-month-old baby at the time.
The mother-of-two shared what really took place behind our TV screens on the brilliant vodcast No Parental Guidance, hosted by parenting influencer Louise Boyce and comedian Hannah East.
''It was a lot. I didn't really anticipate it in my head,'' she told the hosts on the episode.
''The old pelvic floor was under pressure.''
Angela went on: ''People don't talk a lot about pelvic floor health.
''In France, I remember in my NCT group the first time around, there was a French woman and she was like, 'I'm going to the physio'.
''I was like, 'For what?' What happened?'
''She said, 'For my - up there'.
''It's obligatory post-birth in France that you have six weeks physiotherapy, internal physiotherapy.''
Strictly 2025 rumoured line-up
Angellica Bell: A familiar face on British television, Angellica is a seasoned TV presenter known for her work on shows like CBBC and The One Show. She's no stranger to reality TV, having recently appeared on Celebrity Big Brother.
Paul C. Brunson: The charismatic relationship expert and matchmaker from Married At First Sight UK, Paul is known for his insightful advice and warm personality. Swapping the sofa for the samba, he's tipped to bring a touch of class and intelligence to the competition.
Dani Dyer: Rising to fame as the winner of Love Island in 2018, Dani has remained in the public eye with various TV appearances. The daughter of actor Danny Dyer, she's reportedly agreed to take part.
Vicky Pattison: A reality TV stalwart who first found fame on Geordie Shore, Vicky has successfully transitioned into a presenter and author. Having supported her friend Pete Wicks on the show last year, it seems she's ready to put on her own dancing shoes.
Ashley Cain: Former footballer and reality TV star from Ex on the Beach, Ashley has more recently become known for his incredible charity work and campaigning.
Stacey Solomon: Known for her down-to-earth charm and successful BBC shows like Sort Your Life Out, fans are eager to see if she can translate her infectious energy to the ballroom.
Georgia Toffolo: Best known as "Toff" from Made in Chelsea and for winning I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2017, Georgia is a seasoned reality TV star.
Thomas Skinner: The lively entrepreneur who became a fan favourite on The Apprentice in 2019, Thomas is known for his larger-than-life personality and catchphrase "Bosh!". Despite admitting to no dancing experience, he's reportedly "up for giving it his best shot."
Tom Parker Bowles: The renowned food writer and critic, and son of Queen Camilla, is a surprising but intriguing name on the rumour list. A regular on MasterChef, it remains to be seen if his culinary precision translates to ballroom finesse.
Sir Mo Farah: The legendary Olympic long-distance runner is considered a national treasure.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink: The former Premier League football striker, famous for his time at Leeds and Chelsea, is another sporting name being linked.
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey: Known as "Nitro" from the BBC's Gladiators reboot and a former Team GB sprinter, Harry has already shown off some moves on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.
Balvinder Sopal: The talented actress known for her role as Suki Panesar in EastEnders, Balvinder would follow a long line of successful soap stars on Strictly.
Jake Brown: The winner of The Traitors series three, Jake's name has emerged as a potential contestant.
Stefan Dennis: The actor, 66, has played six-times married Ramsay Street lothario Paul Robinson since the first episode in 1985 and now the soap is coming to an end, his schedule is clear.
While no accidents were shown on live TV, Angela confessed that she did pee herself during her Strictly stint.
''I think I would've peed myself anyway, to be honest. But yeah, I did. I remember doing rehearsals for the Charleston and it was quite a spicy number.
''There was a lot of hopping as there is but ours was particularly bouncy,'' said Angela who partnered with Carlos Gu and finished sixth.
''I did the rehearsal and I remember Carlos being like, 'What happened there?'
''And I was too embarrassed - cause we were three weeks in at that point and I didn't know him well enough to be like, 'I just wet myself'.
''I was also so afraid because I was like, 'Oh my God, what if this happens on the show?'
''Because it's a lot to, like, manage that while also managing your steps and also managing all that stuff.
''But I will say, you know, it's pretty solid now,'' she chuckled.
You can watch the full episode here.
Not allowing her children smartphones
During the episode, Angela also revealed why there's a smartphone ban at her home.
“Ruby stamping her feet and telling me that her best mate has one does not mean I’m going to get her a phone if I believe that she is better off as a human without one,” Angela said.
“I’m OK with being the bad bi**h.
"I’m actually fine with her hating me if it makes sense in the long run for her not to have one. I’m still the parent.”
Angela addded that she knows her own phone use impacts her.
“It’s affected my concentration.
"I will be reading a book and think: ‘Oh, I’ve read three pages and have no idea what it said.’
"There’s a lack of regulation online and we are going to hand that to a child?
"My plan is to hold off for as long as possible.”
“I think our generation is justifying it because we love it.
"I don’t want to let it go. It’s the conditioning.
"You’re going: ‘Oh my god, how am I going to tell her she’s not allowed it when I’m sitting there refreshing.
"It requires us all to make changes.”
