Rachel Riley has called for Strictly Come Dancing contestants to receive therapy while on the show.
The Countdown star, 38, talked about how she was diagnosed with PTSD after her stint on the BBC show, which last year’s contestant Amanda Abbington has also reportedly claimed.
Riley appeared on the show back in 2013, and has reflected on how the programme impacted her health.
Calling for Strictly to provide cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for contestants, she stated: “I know from my time on it 11 years ago, even the most sane, solid, grounded people - it can do something to you.”
Speaking at the Inspiration Awards For Women, The Daily Mirror reports she added: “And there’s so many people that I’ve seen in subsequent years that have that shared experience.
“I don’t think even production are aware of quite what it does to people.”
Riley explained she had been diagnosed with PTSD following her Strictly stint
BBC/ITV
She has also opened up about the issue before, telling the same publication in 2021: “I needed cognitive behavioural therapy after competing in 2013 and developed post-traumatic stress disorder.
“If I heard the theme music, I’d start reliving the experience. It was scary and unnerving, so my way of dealing with it is to avoid watching.
“Mind you, if I hadn’t competed I wouldn’t have met Pasha [Kovalev]! He’s just brilliant.”
Riley is now married to former Strictly professional Kovalev, who she was partnered with on the show. Kovalev left Strictly after the 2018 series.
Riley called for therapy to be offered to Strictly contestants
Getty
Her comments come as Sherlock star Abbington continues to make headlines following her experience on the show last year.
The 52-year-old was partnered with Giovanni Pernice but opted to leave the show weeks into the series.
The actress went on to claim she had been diagnosed with PTSD and requested behind-the-scenes footage of her rehearsals with Pernice, 33.
Last month, it was reported Abbington met up with Pernice’s previous Strictly partners Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore to discuss their experiences.
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Riley's comments come amid Amanda Abbington's ongoing claims about Strictly
Getty
The issue has cast doubt on the Italian dancer’s future on the competition, and he was supposedly “in talks” with the BBC about it last week.
However, former EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis, who won the series alongside Pernice in 2021, seems to have maintained a close relationship with the choreographer.
Earlier this week, the actress posted a series of photos of herself on her Instagram account and, as well as liking the post, Pernice commented with three heart emojis.
Speaking to GB News, a BBC Spokesperson said: "Planning around care for those taking part in and competing in our programmes is always a core part of our production process and we have BBC editorial guidelines to help protect those taking part.
"We have plans which cover initial casting through to pre-production, to after care beyond transmission. Depending on the production we offer support such as meetings with psychologists, Mental Health First Aiders on set and individually, as well as advice on social media use and working with the press.
"We have our own safeguarding team of health and wellbeing professionals to give support regarding the mental health of our contributors. We continue to work with producers, external specialists and others in the industry as well as our own specialist advisers to develop best practice in this area to help protect those taking part in our shows."
