BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Angela Scanlon hidden life as a professional dancer

04 November 2023 , 18:55

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Angela has won over both judges and fans with her performances (Image: instagram.com/angelascanlon)

Angela Scanlon has been the talk of the town after slaying on the dance floor in this year's Strictly Come Dancing. The Irish TV personality has won over both the judges and fans with her moves, leaving them stunned and begging for more.

Last week, Angela showed the competition who's boss by pulling off an incredible performance, blowing the house down and leaving the audience spellbound. Her dance partner, Carlos Gu, couldn't have been prouder of her as they both channelled the Halloween spirit for their live show.

But little did anyone know that this wasn't Angela's first time in a dancing competition. The 39-year-old, who also presents the popular interior design show Your Home Made Perfect on BBC Two, has had experience in the dance world before and knows how to move those hips like a pro.

Angela is currently paired with Carlos Gu on Strictly Come Dancing (Daily Mirror)

Angela has won over both the judges and fans with her moves (PA)

Before becoming a popular TV presenter, Angela travelled the world, competing against other teams in dazzling performances that left everyone in awe. Originally from County Meath in Ireland, Angela trained with the O'Shea Irish company, which helped her hone her dancing skills. The young dance troop even appeared on Channel 4's The Big Breakfast in the early 2000s, where they performed and were photographed alongside fellow Irish singer and songwriter Ronan Keating.

Despite her impressive dancing background, Angela admitted to Strictly hosts Claudia Winkelman and Tess Daly in the first episode of this season that she was still incredibly nervous about taking part in the show. She stressed that even though Irish dancing is a core part of many children's childhoods in her home country, along with attending mass, she was still stepping out of her comfort zone.

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Angela (pictured as a child) said Irish dancing is a core part of many children's childhoods in Ireland (@angelascanlon/Instagram)

Angela trained with the O'Shea Irish company, which helped her hone her dancing skills (instagram.com/angelascanlon)

In an Instagram post to her fans, Angela revealed how nervous she was. "I literally forgot how to speak. I was so nervous/stunned, so far out of my comfort zone, so exposed, so ladylike," she wrote. But with every performance, Angela is proving that she's not just a talented presenter, but also a fierce competitor who can hold her own on the dance floor.

Despite her impressive dancing background, some fans of the show claim that Angela has an unfair advantage over her competitors. However, Angela disagrees, stating that ballroom and Irish dancing are very different. In an interview with the Daily Mail, she said: "Most people in Ireland grow up doing Irish dancing, but ballroom is completely different. I've never done ballroom before, I've never done a rumba or any of this style of dancing. In Irish dancing, you dance on your own and it's very stiff."

Angela has two kids, Ruby and Marnie, with husband Roy Horgan (@angelascanlon/Instagram)

Angela also expressed her concerns about getting the salsa hips right, saying that she has to take into consideration her partner's limbs and presence. Despite her worries, Angela is determined to give it her all on the dance floor.

Angela gave up her Irish dancing career at the age of 18 to pursue a career in the media. She started as a fashion journalist and has since presented shows such as The One Show, Robot Wars with Dara O'Brien, and many more on the Irish TV channel RTE.

Florence Freeman