Strictly Come Dancing's Kym Marsh almost quit series after suffering panic attack in rehearsals
Strictly Come Dancing contestant Kym Marsh considered leaving the show in the wake of a panic attack during rehearsals.
Recognised by many as Michelle Connor in Weatherfield, the former Hear'Say singer spoke to The Sun recently, where she recalled a lapse in confidence that almost stopped her Glitterball hopes.
"It just came over me, almost out of nowhere, and I couldn't carry on," she began.
Related: Strictly's Kym Marsh makes plea for support after "horrible" dance-off experience
"I've always suffered from panic attacks. It's something I don't mind talking about because I know it can affect anyone at any time. Sometimes it has been ages [since an attack] and then suddenly one just hits.
"Everyone thinks that because you're on the telly you must be amazingly confident, but the truth is that I'm not always and this is how that comes out," Marsh explained.
"I don't know exactly what caused it, I think I'd had some harsh comments from the judges the week before, I've been working other jobs at the same time too, so it's tiring, and I just lost my confidence completely. I went to pieces and said 'I don't think I can do this'.
"At that moment I wasn't sure I could even carry on with the show. It's hard to explain, you don't see it coming. I've had therapy for anxiety and tried things like that but it can still just creep up, usually just when you could most do without it."
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Fortunately, her Strictly pro partner Graziano Di Prima and fellow competitor Hamza Yassin were on hand to help her out.
"There were a lot of tears, and a few of the other guys had to step in to help me and they cancelled the rehearsal at that point. Everyone was great in the crew and the production, Hamza was especially kind.
"He just calmed me down and tried to remind me 'We're only dancing', and it was Graziano who really pulled me through," added Marsh.
"He's just the most incredible man."
Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturdays and Sundays on BBC One, while spin-off show Strictly: It Takes Two airs on weeknights on BBC Two. Both shows also stream on BBC iPlayer.
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If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, organisations who can offer support include Samaritans on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org) or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to visit mentalhealth.gov.
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