BBC Strictly Come Dancing faces fresh blow as Rachel Riley calls for show therapy after PTSD diagnosis
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.
