Vicky Pattison's Strictly warning amid fresh scandal as stars offered rehab

Vicky Pattison’s dream of lifting the Strictly Glitterball could be hanging in the balance already, after the former Geordie Shore star suffered a debilitating health setback. According to a source, the popular TV personality is determined to make it onto the dance floor but needs to make sure she puts her physical wellbeing before her ambition.

The-37-year-old, who was crowned Queen of the Jungle 10 years ago, revealed that she was left virtually bedbound last week after suffering a trapped nerve in her back during a charity trek in Iceland. Sharing the update on her socials, Vicky revealed that she is predisposed to the often excruciating condition, particularly towards the winter months – and admitted she could “barely move”.

Given that she’s top of the list of this year’s latest raft of Strictly sign-ups, our source claims it’s a painful situation she could seriously have done without. “She was desperately worried that this wasn’t only not going to go away but that it could get worse,” they tell the Mirror. It comes after Danielle Lloyd is hospitalised in heartbreaking skin cancer update.

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They add: “Vicky isn’t a complainer, so when she says something feels bad, she means it. But she’s also a really tough person and has already shown that she can cope with pretty much anything – one thing she’s not, is a quitter. She needs to make sure she looks after herself though, that will be the most important thing.”

They go on to say, “Strictly has been the number one show on her wish list for years, especially after she went to watch her bestie Pete [Wicks] on it last year. This would be her time to shine and she knows that second chances don’t come around often.”

Vicky’s trapped nerve hit after her gruelling trek in Iceland with the breast cancer charity CoppaFeel! The condition happens when too much pressure is applied to a nerve by a nearby bone or muscle, and symptoms can include numbness, an aching or burning pain and muscle weakness.

Opening up to her 5.5m Instagram followers, Vicky said she was sadly all too familiar with the agonising pain, explaining, “It happens mostly in the winter when I’m cold and all hunched over and tight. “It obviously happened in the trek last week. And I’m just feeling it now because my body has relaxed for the first time in a week. But I can barely bloody move.”

The timing couldn’t be worse for Vicky, our source adds, because it comes shortly after she was unofficially revealed as one of the first celebrities ready to sign on the dotted line for the 23rd Strictly series, which starts filming later this summer. The much-loved dance contest has faced its own share of dramas recently, too, with allegations of backstage bullying and the departures of Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima from the professional line-up.

Last week, it also emerged that show bosses were set to offer rehab stints to two of its stars after claims they took cocaine backstage. According to The Sun newspaper, producers are considering introducing random drug tests on next year’s Strictly Live tour.

In response to the allegations, a BBC spokesperson told new, “We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us. We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further.”

Vicky, who presents a Saturday afternoon show on Heart radio, is a long-time fan of Strictly and was even seen in the audience last year, excitedly showing her support for best pal Pete Wicks. Despite once admitting that she was more likely to “stand in the corner, drink and have a laugh” than throw some moves on a dance floor, our source claims it’s time for Vicky to have her moment in the Strictly spotlight – on the condition that she can get herself back in tip-top health.

“She was in terrible pain with this trapped nerve, and really doesn’t want it to mean the end of something she’s dreamed about doing. She’s watched Strictly for years but she had never felt as confident in herself as she does today – so the timing was worrying. “Dealing with health issues unfortunately isn’t new to her, either, but it means she does know how to listen to her body and take care of herself.”

Vicky, who married her long-term love Ercan Ramadan last year, has spoken previously about her lengthy battle to get a diagnosis of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), which causes insomnia, anxiety, depressive thoughts, and physical pain. “She’s literally feeling all the emotions right now – Strictly isn’t a walk in the park,” our source claims.

“It’s gruelling on the body and the mind, so she needs both to be in excellent condition. But she’s a tough cookie so friends and family are convinced she’ll do well. She’s one determined lady – if anyone can do this, Vicky can.”

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