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Sophie Ellis-Bextor says she could have used more 'emotional support' during 'Strictly'

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 14: Sophie Ellis-Bextor attends The Forth Awards 2019 at Usher Hall on November 14, 2019 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Roberto Ricciuti/Redferns)
Sophie Ellis-Bextor was on 'Strictly' in 2013. (Roberto Ricciuti/Redferns)

Sophie Ellis-Bextor has said she could have done with more "emotional support" while she was on Strictly.

The singer was a contestant on the BBC ballroom contest in 2013 and recently revealed that it affected her marriage with musician Richard Jones.

She opened up about it during an appearance on ITV’s Lorraine, saying it was an “intense experience” and that she could have used more support at the time.

Read more: Sophie Ellis-Bextor says she was raped by a musician when she was 17

The 42-year-old told host Lorraine Kelly that she thought the time apart had an impact on her and her husband.

“I think that was the first thing that made it a bit wobbly, the separation,” she said. “You like doing things together and sharing experiences.”

Sophie Ellis Bextor and Brendan Cole rehearse for the Strictly Come Dancing semi-finals at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire.   (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images)
Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Brendan Cole on 'Strictly'. (Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images)

Ellis-Bextor said her professional dance partner Brendan Cole was “brilliant because right from day one that was his advice - involve your friends and involve your family”.

“So whenever I could they would come along, they would come to rehearsals and all that kind of stuff,” she said.

The star – who has five children with Jones – went on: “It’s a very intense experience.

“And for Richard, he did struggle with aspects of it, which obviously in turn made me struggle with aspects.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: (L-R) Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Richard Jones attend the
Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Richard Jones have five children. (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

“But he did get counselling and help and support which allowed us both to enjoy it a lot more.”

Strictly’s got so much about it that’s glorious and joyful, but I think if they just had a little bit of emotional support it would have definitely improved my experience,” she said.

Read more: Sophie Ellis-Bextor discusses record label firing in 1999

“I only speak for myself and it's a lot of happy memories for us.”

Yahoo has contacted the BBC for comment.

Watch: How Sophie Ellis-Bextor disco-ed her way through lockdown