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‘Physically exhausted’ Strictly star struck down by illness ahead of the final

They've had less time to rehearse

The pressure is on the four finalists in this week’s Strictly Come Dancing with three routines to be perfected.

They will be hoping to make the dances their best yet so they can win the glitterball trophy – but one has confessed they’ve been struggling to rehearse in this most crucial of weeks.

Debbie McGee has admitted she’s been exhausted after being struck down by a bug that has made her “feel like a zombie”.

“I am now more tired than I have been in any other week. The pressure is much heavier.

“On Tuesday I was like a zombie. I was brain dead and physically washed out,” she told the Daily Star.

Debbie, 59, has also suffered from back problems throughout the series and has been trying to fit in her punishing dance training with professional partner Giovanni Pernice alongside rehearsing to appear in panto over Christmas.

During an interview on Radio2 this week, she told Sara Cox that it’s not just catching the flu that’s derailed her training.

Read more: Strictly star admits ‘breaking down’ ahead of final

She said: “I haven’t been very well, I’ve had what everyone else has got. So we have had less time. Then I got snowed in to the hotel on Sunday so we missed the whole day then as well.”

Debbie has previously admitted that being much older than her partner Giovanni 27, has made it difficult for her to match his energy in training.

But you’d never know when they hit the dancefloor on a Saturday night, with Debbie being a favourite to win because she’s achieved top marks in the past.

In the final, she will repeat her salsa that wowed the judges as well as performing a show dance to One Day I’ll Fly Away.

They will also reprise another routine of their choice from the series – but that dance hasn’t been revealed yet.

Magician’s assistant, Debbie, who was married to Paul Daniels, will face Joe McFadden, Gemma Atkinson and Alexandra Burke in the final.

Read more: The line-up for the Strictly 2018 tour has been announced

Ever the professional, she knows the show must go on, so we’re sure she’ll give her her all no matter how tired she’s feeling.

She’s also revealed that she’s not ready to hang up her dancing shoes after the final and will be joining the Strictly UK tour in 2018.

Just make sure you get some rest first, Debbie!


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor