Strictly's Angela Scanlon was forced to make upsetting choice after baby's birth

21 October 2023 , 16:15

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Angela said she felt vulnerable after giving birth, as so much of her identity was tied to her career. (Image: BBC/Remarkable Television/Adam Lawrence)

Strictly Come Dancing 's Angela Scanlon has opened up a tough choice she was forced to make after giving birth to her daughter Ruby. The Irish TV presenter, who is known for her work on BBC ’s The One Show and BBC Two’s Your Home Made Perfect, revealed that she felt "wildly vulnerable" after giving birth three years ago.

The beloved Irish TV presenter shares two daughters with husband Roy Horgan. The couple welcomed their eldest daughter Ruby Ellen in February 2018, and went on to welcome their youngest daughter Marnie Fae in February 2022.

Angela said she felt "wildly vulnerable" after giving birth three years ago.

Angela welcomed her first daughter Ruby Ellen in February 2018 and her second daughter Marnie Fae in February 2022 (@angelascanlon/Instagram)

Angela confessed that she found maternity leave hard because her focus and drive had been all about work for so long. In an article for the Daily Mail, she wrote: “So much of my identity was tied to my career - having a baby and taking time off work meant I didn’t know who the hell I was any more.”

Then Angela's returning TV presenting role with Dara O'Briain on Robot Wars fell through, leaving her devastated and facing a choice she didn't want to make. When offered another project presenting Your Home Made Perfect, she returned to work just 12 weeks after giving birth.

Describing herself as a "deer in the headlights," Angela admitted that she was fuelled by caffeine and suffering from insomnia. She added: “I ended up going back to work earlier than I’d hoped, on a different project. Just 12 weeks after giving birth I started presenting Your Home Made Perfect. I was like a deer in the headlights, fuelled by caffeine and suffering insomnia. Often I would beat myself up if I had to travel for work or if I wasn’t around for bedtime.”

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Angeka is currently paired with Carlos Gu on Strictly Come Dancing

The dynamic duo will be taking to the dance floor this weekend to perform an American Smooth routine (PA)

But Angela admitted the birth of her daughter had taught her to ask for help more and accept it when offered, something she had previously struggled with. She continued: “It’s a strength to understand when you need support, not a weakness. And you have to offer help in return, too, because none of us can do it all on our own.”

The TV presenter is currently paired with the talented Carlos Gu and is fiercely competing against a long line-up of celebrities on Strictly Come Dancing in the hopes of lifting this year's coveted trophy. The dynamic duo will be taking to the dance floor this weekend to perform an American Smooth routine, set to the iconic Madonna hit "Cherish."

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday from 6.20pm on BBC One .

Florence Freeman