Strictly’s Montell Douglas reveals being on the show made her believe that being ‘strong is sexy’ after years of feeling embarrassed of her height

Strictly Come Dancing star Montell Douglas has revealed that being part of the show has finally made her believe that being ‘strong is sexy’ after years of feeling embarrassed over her height.

The former Gladiator, 38, has so far been dazzling audiences with her epic routines alongside professional partner Johannes Radebe on the BBC show – with the pair’s Couple’s Choice African-inspired routine being one of the stand-out moments of the series.

However, during her childhood, Montell would’ve done anything not to stand out, with the star standing at 5ft 9in by the time she was 12.

The then youngster suffered with bad posture during her childhood years as she deliberately hunched over so as to try and ‘hide’ herself, with a young Montell feeling self-conscious over her ‘big’ frame.

But after stunning in an array of beautiful gowns and gliding across the dancefloor with such elegance, Montell has told how her experience in the competition has changed her mindset and she’s completely embraced her athletic frame.

The former Gladiator, 38, has so far been dazzling audiences with her epic routines alongside professional partner Johannes Radebe on the BBC show [pictured together]

Speaking to The Sun, she shared: ‘Strictly gives me the chance to wear these beautiful gowns and dresses and find the elegance, while believing and embracing that strong is still sexy. That is what I have to remind myself so often. And being with Johannes, honestly, he is a reminder every day that strong is sexy.’

Her mindset now if different to that of her younger self who would’ve done anything to remain invisible while growing up in Bromley, South East London.

She explained: ‘When you’re a little girl and you want to fit in and you do nothing but stand out, you slump your shoulders. I’ve always had bad posture because you’re just big and you can’t hide. I didn’t really like the limelight.’

The TV personality went on to add that she didn’t ‘like people to see me’ as she really ‘struggled’ with her body shape and long limbs, with Montell recalling how she completely lacked ‘confidence.’ 

Montell went on to say that her views began to change when her PE teacher noticed she had an aptitude for athletics, with Montell’s growing love of sport changing the way she viewed her body.

She said: ‘I think going through sport has empowered me because my physicality, my body, has never been because of how I want it to look. It’s always been for performance. I’ve never looked and gone, “I want this crazy back that I’ve got right now, all this muscle .I want my shoulders to be this way”. I’ve never felt like that.’

She told how she simply trained her body because it made her ‘run fast’, which to her was the ‘priority’.

Indeed, Montell’s strong figure has led her on to great success, with the sportswoman going on to represent Team GB at the summer 2008 Olympics as well as the Winter Olympics in 2022.

‘Strictly gives me the chance to wear these beautiful gowns and dresses and find the elegance, while believing and embracing that strong is still sexy. That is what I have to remind myself so often’

Young Montell suffered with bad posture during her childhood years as she deliberately hunched over so as to try and ‘hide’ herself, with a young Montell feeling self-conscious over her ‘big’ frame

Montell went on to say that her views began to change when her PE teacher noticed she had an aptitude for athletics, with Montell’s growing love of sport changing the way she viewed her body

Montell’s strong figure has led her on to great success, with the sportswoman going on to represent Team GB at the summer 2008 Olympics [pictured] as well as the Winter Olympics in 2022

While last year, she was snapped up by BBC bosses for the rebooted series of Gladiators, with Montell transforming into her alter-ego Fire [pictured]

While last year, she was snapped up by BBC bosses for the rebooted series of Gladiators, with Montell transforming into her alter-ego Fire. 

And as she continues to do her thing week after week on Strictly, the body that Montell was once ashamed of is looking better than ever before. 

Her fellow Gladiators have apparently told her that her figure ‘looks insane’,  while Montell herself has notice that her body is ‘tight’ and ‘everything is popping.’

She even noted that her body hasn’t been this ‘lean’ in eight years since before her her bobsleighing days. 

Montell’s words comes after her dance partner Johannes addressed rumours that he is planning on leaving to take on new projects.

As she continues to do her thing week after week on Strictly, the body that Montell was once ashamed of is looking better than ever before

Her fellow Gladiators have apparently told her that her figure ‘looks insane’, while Montell herself has notice that her body is ‘tight’ and ‘everything is popping’

The South African dancer, 37, who has become a fan-favourite since he joined the show in 2018, took to social media to squash speculation about his place on the hit dance show. 

In a video uploaded to his Instagram on Thursday, the star jokingly sang and danced along to a song about not leaving. 

Dressed in a grey T-shirt and black trousers he shimmied and hummed along to the tune.

He then joined in and loudly sang along with the lyrics which included: ‘I go nowhere, nowhere.’

He broke off singing to address the rumours about his next career move.

Montell’s words comes after her dance partner Johannes addressed rumours that he is planning on leaving to take on new projects 

In a video uploaded to his Instagram, the star jokingly sang and danced along to a song about not leaving before addressing the camera and flatly denying he was quitting the show 

Speaking directly to the camera in the dance studio he said: ‘I’m going nowhere, nowhere. It’s a lie. Lies upon many lies’.

The professional dancer then started to back away from the camera, shaking his hips and singing along before pulling in his dance partner Montell for a spin.

The star captioned his video: ‘I’m not going nowhere! The story isn’t true – I love @bbcstrictly and I want to do this beautiful show for as long as they want me – and the body will allow. 

‘I have Kinky Boots and other work in the pipeline yes but nothing will take me away. Love you all Jojo Xx’