Tabby Stoecker reveals big impact Strictly has had on her body
Tabby Stoecker is taking part in the 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Strictly Come Dancing has taken a physical toll on Tabby Stoecker.
The Olympic skeleton gold medallist is suffering from painful blisters and struggling to lift her arms after gruelling rehearsal sessions, with the BBC dance show's demanding Latin and Ballroom routines pushing her body in ways she is not used to.
Tabby, 25, told the new issue of Heat magazine: "It's a totally different movement style for me - and in heels!
"In skeleton, I train like a 100m sprinter, so I focus on my lower body, not my arms.
"This is really posture and arm-heavy, so by the end of the day, I can't lift them. And I've never had to think about my feet so much.
"I'm strapped up with multiple blister plasters. I have blisters the size of toes on my toes."
The Gladiators star has been impressing viewers and judges Craig Revel Horwood, 61, Motsi Mabuse, 45, Shirley Ballas, 66, and Anton Du Beke, 60, each week with her and 23-year-old professional partner Mark Karmalita's dance routines.
And although Tabby is "touched" by the "positive and kind" reactions from fans, she feels "extremely" vulnerable being on the BBC Latin and Ballroom dance show.
The sports star explained: "My brain can't comprehend how many people have seen me dance on TV. Skeleton is quite a niche sport, so I've never really had to confront public opinion before.
"I loved voting as a Strictly viewer, but as the person dancing, it's so vulnerable."
Tabby also admitted that getting up close and personal with Mark has taken some getting used to.
Asked if it is "embarrassing", she said: "Of course. I'm human!
"We've been working on eye contact and facial expressions, but he makes me laugh, so I look at him and immediately break character."
But Tabby is full of admiration for Mark.
She said: "He's effectively teaching me his craft, so I have so much respect for him.
"I'll do whatever he says, even if it means staring at him intently for 20 seconds."
On October 31, the pair found themselves joint bottom of the leaderboard alongside professional dog trainer Graeme Hall, 60, and his professional dance partner, Lauren Oakley, 35, after scoring 25 points.
However, as Motsi put it, Tabby "came back with a vengeance" a week later, delivering a fierce Paso Doble to Supermassive Black Hole by Muse, which secured them second place on the leaderboard with an impressive 33 points.
Following her and Mark's performance, Motsi added: "You are magnificent, I love it. I love the focus.
"I absolutely love the way you hold your body ... You spin into him, you spin out of him, you just do it on your own.
"I just adore you girl!"
