SHE has won Olympic gold and is a new TV Gladiator – but Tabby Stoecker reckons Strictly will be her toughest challenge yet.
The champion athlete swaps the skeleton for the salsa as she hits the dancefloor on Saturday night in the first live show of the new series.
Famed for hurtling down an icy track at over 80mph, it is safe to say that Tabby, 25, has nerves of steel.
But the prospect of a dazzling Strictly makeover sent chills down her spine.
I don’t even wear heels on the weekends!” she said, laughing.
“I was definitely scared about having to be in full glam and heels while doing something so physically demanding.”
As a skeleton star, Tabby spends her days in Lycra and a helmet, racing over the ice on a tiny sled with no brakes or steering, relying on her body to shift direction.
Investing so much into training for the extreme sport means that while many young women her age love to go clubbing, Tabby has had little experience of a Saturday night shimmy.
She said: “Being an elite athlete, I’ve not been out dancing very much, so I don’t even have that feeling of being where there’s music and you’re dancing.
“I haven’t really been exposed to that very much, so all of it has definitely brought a bit of fear, but also, I’d say, tons more excitement.”
Tabby and her Canadian dance partner Mark Karmalita, one of the BBC One show’s hunky new pros, will tonight do the jive to Animal by Katseye.
And she is so jittery about performing live, scary scenarios are haunting her dreams.
“Not quite turning up naked in the ballroom,” said Tabby, “but I have had nightmares of falling down the stairs!”
The sparkly costumes and full face of make-up Tabby will now sport on Saturday nights have been an eye-opener.
“I’ve never really had fake lashes and things before, and that’s been really fun,” she smiled.
“Now, I put them on, look at my eyes and I’m like, ‘Whoa, my eyes just pop. It looks amazing’.”
It has been an incredible year for Team GB’s Tabby.
She made history at February’s 2026 Winter Olympics, winning gold alongside Matt Weston in the skeleton team event in Italy.
At 25, she became Britain’s youngest Olympic champion in the sport.
Then she bagged a spot on Strictly with the likes of ex-Love Islander Dani Dyer, EastEnders’ Lacey Turner and Big Brother co-host Will Best.
As if that was not enough, the BBC came calling for Gladiators, where it is believed Tabby will be known as Gold Star as contenders face her in physical challenges.
Now, she is desperate to add Strictly’s Glitterball to her expanding awards cabinet.
“What a year, is all I can say,” she beamed.
“None of this was on my bingo card.
“My life this time last year is just completely unrecognisable to me now.
JOSH: LIVE SHOW WILL BE SCARY
JOSH WIDDICOMBE has laughed off criticism after getting off to an uncertain start with his Strictly hosting debut.
The comedian received mixed reviews on his first stint hosting on last
Saturday’s pre-recorded launch show, with some viewers praising his
performance while others were more critical.
He faces an even tougher task tonight when he hosts live for the first time.
“What could possibly go wrong?” he mused, making light of the backlash. “Loads of things, but let’s not focus on them.
“I think it’s going to be really, really fun. It’s going to feel utterly surreal, just as terrifying as the first one. Will it ever stop being terrifying? I hope not, because hosting something like this should be the best kind of terrifying.”
Looking back at last week’s pre-recorded show, The Last Leg’s Josh admitted he was a bag of nerves. “It’s the most brilliantly terrifying thing I’ve done, possibly since my first ever stand-up gig,” he said.
“I had so much adrenaline on the night that I had to have two naps the day after!
“I don’t think at any point since getting the job had it felt real until we heard the music start up and Alan Dedicoat [off-screen announcer] say our names.
“The whole thing was a mix of joy and exhaustion off the back of fear – and totally and utterly thrilling.”
Josh insists the new Strictly trio are on the money thanks to their different personalities, adding: “Emma and Johannes are generous, sweet and funny – they make working on Strictly even more exciting and joyous.”
“I feel so incredibly lucky that I get to have these opportunities and throw myself into these iconic shows.
“But it’s all about enjoying it and bringing joy to everyone watching.
“That’s what Strictly’s given me in the past, so I’d like to give that back.”
Two Gladiators who previously competed on Strictly have given Tabby tips for success. “Montell Douglas (Fire) and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (Nitro) both said definitely don’t underestimate the training — and remember your blister plasters!” she revealed.
Born in London, Tabby grew up with a love of gymnastics and was a British Schools champion.
She trained at the National Centre for Circus Arts in disciplines including trapeze, clowning and juggling, dreaming of joining the spectacular Cirque du Soleil.
And on Strictly, she is eyeing up a Greatest Showman-style dance where she would transform into star Zendaya.
“Wouldn’t that be fabulous?” she gushed.
“I don’t know what’s to come, but I wouldn’t say no if circus skills were asked of me!”
Tabby got into skeleton racing while studying for her A-Levels after spotting an advert for a Team GB talent search.
Despite knowing nothing about the sport, she impressed at trials and began training with the British skeleton programme in Bath.
The high-octane sport carries huge risks, such as crashing face-first into the ice, which Tabby says has happened to her a lot.
But she reckons it puts the potential of a tongue-lashing from Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood — who dishes out criticism and scores each week — into perspective.
“If I got a one from Craig, that’s nothing,” she shrugged.
“Physically, crashing hurts.
“Skeleton is dangerous sometimes.”
However, she added: “Getting a one from Craig would be quite sad, but hopefully entertaining!
“It would mean something went drastically wrong.”
Tabby is in peak physical condition and says she will be brimming with confidence as she waltzes on to the dancefloor.
She added: “I’ve worked so hard, countless hours in the gym and sprinting to make my body work for me.
“I’m proud of what it can do.”
Telly work has taken over Tabby’s schedule this year, but she says it is back to her day job in 2027 . . . as long as she escapes injury on Strictly.
Former Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing quit ahead of the 2019 live shows after injuring his foot during the pre-recorded launch, while Dani Dyer had to withdraw last year because she broke an ankle in rehearsals.
Tabby insists she has no fear of being hurt — but is daunted by her dance partner hoisting her high.
“I am nervous about being lifted,” she confessed.
“I’m usually laid really close to the ground.
“So that’s going to be interesting, but I’m definitely trusting Mark already.
“I’m not fearless.
“I’m just not going to let it stop me!”
- Watch Strictly Come Dancing tonight at 6.15pm on BBC One.
STARS QUICKSTEP UP TO SHOW HOW IT’S DONE
STRICTLY’S judges and presenters have a whirl at their very own dance routine to kick off tonight’s live show.
Experts Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke flash some nifty footwork, while new hosts Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe fall into step alongside them.
Offering advice to the newbies, Anton said: “The best advice for Emma and Josh is to follow Johannes’ lead – he’s such a marvellous dancer, you can’t go wrong if you follow him.”
Meanwhile, the judges revealed they are still reeling from last Saturday’s “chaotic” show, which saw celeb competitors each paired with a pro in a fast and frantic speed dating-style format. Shirley said: I’ve never seen anything like it. Totally new and totally bonkers.”
Craig admitted he was taken aback by dog trainer Graeme Hall’s skills as he was paired with pro Lauren Oakley, admitting: “He’s got really good movement.”And Motsi said she cannot wait to see which contestants pull it out the bag, predicting: “Some people will surprise us.”
Despite fan backlash to the new hosts, Anton gave them top marks, insisting: “They were tremendous – if only I had an 11 paddle!”