Strictly Come Dancing sensation Vicky Pattison has been dazzling viewers with her remarkable dance performances alongside professional partner Kai Widdrington in the current series of the beloved BBC dance competition.
The reality television personality has transformed significantly since she initially appeared on our screens over a decade ago on MTV’s Geordie Shore.
Vicky once appeared completely different in a recently unearthed throwback photograph of herself sporting vibrant blonde hair.
The image shows a youthful Vicky in her twenties, well before her evolution into one of Britain’s most adaptable and cherished television figures.
Vicky, aged 19 at the time, is shown seated around her table with mates. Accompanying the post, she penned: “Proper throwback…15 years ago. That used to mean I was a kid. Not now no.. I was an adult. A rubbish, immature one.. but an adult nonetheless. WTF”.
For those who haven’t binged the guilty-pleasure programme, Vicky initially gained recognition on Geordie Shore between 2011 and 2014, before winning over the nation’s affections as Queen of the Jungle on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
in 2015.
Subsequently, she’s appeared on programmes across MTV, ITV, Channel 5, Channel 4 and TLC – including fronting her powerful Channel 4 documentary Vicky Pattison: Alcohol, dad and Me, reaching the Celebrity MasterChef final and taking on the challenging Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
Now 37 years old, Vicky continues to balance numerous commitments. She currently presents a Saturday afternoon show on Heart Radio and hosts two successful podcasts – G Just days before her Strictly debut, Vicky admitted she was “absolutely RIDDLED with nerves and anxiety” about stepping onto the dance floor for the first time.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, which included a snap of the star looking emotional, Vicky shared: “From the day my agent rang me and told me I’d got @bbcstrictly.”
She went on to say: “As someone who has watched the show for years and is a massive fan… I honestly just couldn’t believe they’d want someone like me. In fact, I still can’t.”
When the nerves ramp up a notch tomorrow which they undoubtedly will, I’m going to remind myself of this moment.
“How unbelievably lucky I felt to be participating in such an incredible show, to be learning a new skill and gaining a new family too. all.
Looking back at her early career, Vicky has been candid about the impact of her time on Geordie Shore. In a 2023 chat with PA news agency, she confessed: “My time spent on Geordie Shore just completely reinforced the idea that I probably wasn’t good for anything, and I’m really lucky that I’ve managed to parlay that time spent in reality TV into something with longevity – into using my platform for good. “.
Despite her initial doubts, it’s clear that Vicky has surpassed her own expectations, and fans can look forward to seeing her continue to shine in the upcoming episode of Strictly Come Dancing this Saturday on BBC One.