What made you want to take part in strictly this year?

Well, this is the last year of my 50s. It would be easy to say no and you go through all of these doubts in your head. And then you think that Strictly is a phenomenon, and it's beloved by everyone. It's an incredible experience. Despite the fact that I can't dance, I've always had a little thing in the back of my head when I see people dancing, and I envy it to a certain extent. When you're offered something like this, you either think to yourself, why would I do that? Or you think to yourself, why wouldn't I do that? And I fell on the side of why wouldn't I do that, and here I am.

What do you think your biggest challenge will be?

I just need to loosen up a bit. I mean, it's the irony of a loose woman., I've always been quite a reserved person. I've told myself I'm a rubbish dancer for 40 years and that sinks in and so you have that perception of yourself. I suppose it's the dances that really require me to, to go way outside my comfort zone. I mean, everything's going to be outside my comfort zone, but some of it is going to be like going to the North Pole in a pair of flip flops! So I guess the Paso Doble and all that kind of shaky, sultry stuff is what’s going to test me to the limits.

How do you feel about being Strictly-fied?

I think that it's all a bit of fun and to a certain extent, it's disguised camouflage! You know, there's no point in coming this far and then trying to do half measures. I am trying to persuade them to give me a sequined balaclava to disguise my terrible sexy face. I should really speak to wardrobe about that…

Are there any memorable or standout moments for you from previous series?

A lot of my Loose Women colleagues have taken part in the show before so I have obviously had a particular interest in them. Judi last year was brilliant, her energy was amazing, and she would come and dance in the morning meetings at Loose Women. Of course on the Scottish point of view, Judy Murray, I thought she did absolutely brilliantly, she was just so endearing in the whole thing and I think people really warmed to that. Also, Anne Widdecombe and Russel Grant, I go to bed every night and I watch one of each!

Do you have any previous dance experience?

None whatsoever, unless you count Scottish country dancing at school? Although I don't think that's exactly what we're doing here! I actually got thrown out of ballet class when I was five, the dance teacher told my mum that I might be better at doing something else as I have kipper feet… whatever they are.

How are you preparing for the show?

I am watching YouTube videos of Anne Widdecombe every night. I also downloaded a hugely expensive app from a professional dancer based in America to try to teach myself some steps. Very annoyed because I thought I was signing up for a free month’s trial. A friend of mine is a choreographer so he is showing me some of the basic steps and also making me disco dance around the room ‘like no-one is watching’. He says I have to getting used to feeling foolish!

Have you had any advice from anyone who has done the show before?

I have had lots of great advice from my Loose Women colleagues, Ruth Langsford advised me to have a ‘lady bag’ at rehearsals because ‘it can get a bit sweaty’. Judi Love, Sunetra Sarker, Katie Piper, Gloria Hunniford and Frankie Bridge have also been great but the one thing they all agree on is that the key thing to do is to just enjoy every moment!

Do you know any of your fellow 2022 contestants?

I don’t know anyone well, although I have crossed paths with Kym, Will and Matt over the years. I met up with my TV daughter Jayde at the Edinburgh Festival and we had a good chat. I am excited to get to know everyone properly.

Who do you think is your biggest competition?

I think my biggest competition is myself. I am not that good at letting go and strutting my stuff. It’s not my natural instinct so it’s going to be a pitch battle between Kaye and my new alter ego Fifi La Touché!

Do you have your eye on the Glitterball?

The only eye I have on the glitterball is to make sure I don’t trip over it and smash it by mistake. I’d keep it out my way to be on the safe side just in case.

Do you have a signature dance move you always do at parties?

I used to be rather fond of Oops Upside Your Head in my teenage years. I haven’t really moved on from that.