Strictly’s James Cracknell fears exhaustion from his gruelling ten-hour rehearsals and time on the dance floor will trigger an epileptic fit
Strictly Come Dancing star James Cracknell revealed he fears fatigue will cause him to have an epileptic fit on the dance floor.
Speaking candidly to The Sun on Sunday, the Olympic gold medallist, 47, said he was worried for his life when he goes out on the ballroom next.
The athlete has already been taking part in a gruelling ten-hour rehearsals as well as performing on the day itself, and he said of his concerns: ‘Some people get epilepsy from strobe lighting but not me.
Candid: Strictly’s James Cracknell said on Sunday that he fears exhaustion from his gruelling ten-hour rehearsals and time on the dance floor will trigger an epileptic fit
‘I don’t want to worry Luba [Musktuk] but mine is set off by fatigue. When I’ve had a seizure it’s been because of not sleeping.
‘Epilepsy comes with a bit of a stigma. One of the drawbacks is that it’s a hidden disability.’
James went on to say that he’s keen to use his influence as a public figure to change people’s views on the condition, as he said he was keen to ‘get other people to understand it.’
Concern: Of having the condition, he explained: ‘I don’t want to worry Luba [Musktuk] but mine is set off by fatigue. When I’ve had a seizure it’s been because of not sleeping’
This comes after James appeared to wipe away tears after his debut performance was slammed by the judges on Saturday.
The Olympic rower took to the dance floor with pro Luba to perform a Tango to Gold by Spandau Ballet, but was branded ‘lethargic’ by Craig Revel-Horwood.
Many viewers took to social media to slam the judge’s scoring, with several claiming that Lioness Alex Scott should have earned more points.
Hard times: This comes after he appeared to wipe away tears after his debut performance was slammed by the judges on Saturday
Following his first dance, James appeared downcast as he left the dance floor with Luba, and host Claudia Winkleman asked if he was alright.
The sporting champion was silent at first, with Luba saying: ‘He did such a brilliant job. I’m really, really proud.’
Speaking about his proud parents who were watching on in the audience, James said: ‘The first thing my dad said to me after I was lucky enough to win the Olympics was “can you get a proper job now?”‘
Passionate: James took to the dance floor with pro Luba to perform a Tango to Gold by Spandau Ballet
Embattled: The Olympic rower appeared to be emotional as he left the dance floor, after his moves were branded ‘lethargic’
STRICTLY WEEK ONE LEADERBOARD
Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse: Samba to La Vida Es Un Carnaval by Celia Cruz – 32 points out of 40
Karim Zeroual and Amy Dowden: Cha Cha Cha to If I Can’t Have You by Shawn Mendes – 31 points out of 40
Michelle Visage and Giovanni Pernice: So Emotional by Whitney Houston – 30 points out of 40
Dev Griffin and Dianne Buswell: Foxtrot to Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations – 30 points out of 40
Saffron Barker and AJ Pritchard: Tango to Lips Are Moving by Meghan Trainor – 27 points out of 40
Will Bayley and Janette Manrara: Quickstep to Pencil Full of Lead by Paolo Nutini – 26 points out of 40
Emma Barton and Anton Du Beke: Jive to Honey Honey by ABBA – 23 points out of 40
Mike Bushell and Katya Jones: Jive to Do You Love Me by The Contours – 22 points out of 40
Alex Scott and Neil Jones: Quickstep to I Get a Kick Out of You by Frank Sinatra – 21 points out of 40
Catherine Tyldesley and Johannes Radebe: Viennese Waltz to I Got You Babe by Sonny and Cher – 20 points out of 40
Emma Weymouth and Aljaž Škorjanec: She’s a Lady by Tom Jones – 19 points out of 40
David James and Nadiya Bychkova: Foxtrot to Three Lions by Baddiel, Skinner and Lightning Seeds – 17 points out of 40
Anneka Rice and Kevin Clifton: Cha Cha Cha to Gloria by Laura Branigan – 14 points out of 40
Chris Ramsey and Karen Hauer: Cha Cha Cha to Juice by Lizzo – 13 points out of 40
James Cracknell and Luba Mushtuk: Tango to Gold by Spandau Ballet – 11 points out of 40
His performance earned a mixed reception from the panel, with Craig only offering a score of two points.
He added; ‘Your posture posture is your main concern in this dance. You were hunched over Luba sadly. On top of that your bottom was sticking way out. You need to tuck that baby under.
‘It lacked drive, you need to put a much energy as you do into rowing into your body.’
Struggling: Following his first dance, James appeared to be downcast as he exited the dancefloor with Luba, and host Claudia Winkleman asked if he was alright
Supportive: The sporting champion was silent at first, with Luba saying: ‘He did such a brilliant job. I’m really, really proud’
Struggling: His performance earned a mixed reception from the panel, with Craig only offering a score of two points. They earned a total of 11 points out of 40
Motsi Mabuse offered some optimism by saying that ‘athletes never give up’ and was adamant he would come back stronger the following week.
Bruno added: ‘At times it looked like you were concentrating so hard on getting it right you were dancing on your own. Next time perform it. Deep breath, come out and wow us.’
Regardless James scored just 11 points out of 40 and finished bottom of the leaderboard.
James joined the 14 other celebrities who made their long-awaited debut on the dancefloor.
Upset: But many viewers were unhappy with the scoring throughout the show – and Alex Scott and particular – and took to Twitter to share their views
But many viewers were unhappy with the scoring throughout the show and took to Twitter to share their views.
One wrote: ‘These judges are already winding me up!’ while another added: ‘I think it was absolutely brilliant for a first episode of the series but the scoring was a bit all over the place for me.’
A third also tweeted: ‘This is the first time ever I’m committing to a full series of #Strictly and I’m a) amazing by the details the judges notice and b) baffled by some of their scoring. At least standards and expertise are still key.’
A fourth also tweeted: ‘I thought @ChrisRamsety did really well! Judges comments disappointed me… and we’re back!’
The first live show saw all 15 celebrities perform a debut dance that was scored by the judges, but the public vote will not open until next week.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday 28th September on ITV.
Back soon: Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday 28th September on ITV
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