Strictly’s Rhys Stephenson reveals therapists were on site to help with show ‘stress’: ‘We had a lot of support’-Stella Akinwumi-Entertainment – Metro

Rhys took part in the 2021 series (Picture: Getty)

Strictly Come Dancing star Rhys Stephenson says show bosses made sure therapists were on site to help celebrities deal with stress during their time on the show.

The CBBC presenter, 28, was partnered with professional dancer Nancy Xu last year but just missed a place in the long-awaited final, which saw former EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice taking the crown.

Although the BBC series never fails to put a smile on our faces on Saturday nights, Rhys explained that there is a lot of support for the contestants behind the scenes.

‘We had a lot of support,’ he said.

‘They have their own therapists in there. They’ve got people that who you can talk to if you’re feeling lonely, because I mean, they know it can be a very stressful show in a very scary show,’ he added to OK! magazine.

Last night, viewers were delighted as the first live show premiered with 15 celebrities battling it out on the dance floor.

Rhys explained that there was a lot of support behind the scenes (Picture: PA)

Saturday’s episode was watched by an average of 5.4 million viewers, with a peak audience of 5.6million.

While last year’s series launch received an average of seven million viewers, peaking at 7.3million.

This year’s launch show was due to air on Saturday September 17 but was postponed due to schedule changes ahead of the Queen’s funeral. Instead the BBC showed the launch just a day before the first live show.

Saturday’s show saw actor Will Mellor and wildlife presenter Hamza Yassin place joint top of the leaderboard, both achieving an impressive score of 34 in week one.

Will Mellor made his way to the top of the leaderboard after his energetic jive (Picture: PA)

Strictly is officially underway (Picture: PA)

Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps star Will performed an electric jive to Livin’ La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin with his partner Nancy Xu which impressed judges Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas so much that they gave him a standing ovation.

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The 20th series also features two same-sex pairings, among them reigning champion Giovanni Pernice and BBC Radio 2’s Richie Anderson who delivered an energetic cha cha cha to I’m Your Man by Wham! for their first routine.

Comedian and actor Jayde Adams and professional Karen Hauer are the show’s second female same-sex couple, following in the footsteps of Katya Jones and Olympic gold medallist boxer Nicola Adams who were paired up in 2020.

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6:30pm on BBC One.

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