Meet Strictly Come Dancing couple Jamelia and Tristan MacManus

"My biggest thing that I don’t have any confidence in is the footwork which is ridiculous because it’s most of the dances," she tells Radio Times. "Everyone got the Charleston group dance within seconds – I swear I practiced for days."

The celebrities have been practicing for two weeks now, and Jamelia's professional partner, Tristan MacManus, is full of praise for how she juggles her commitments. "It’s very difficult to be a mother, let alone a mother with a job, let alone a mother with a job and training. To have that grit is a big, big plus."

But Jamelia – who is behind smash hits Money, Superstar and Thank You – added that she is "literally having the time of my life" during training.

"I’m spending all day, every day, so excited," she told us. "I actually had a day off yesterday and I was like, 'ok, how long until I go back to Strictly?' I prefer the world where I have to spend all day in sparkles. I feel like I’ve turned into my nine year old daughter!"

⬆ Watch the rest of our exclusive interview above ⬆

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC1 at 9:00pm on Friday 25th September

Robin Windsor, Alex Jones and Sir Bruce Forsyth will be at the Radio Times Festival this September.

Peter Andre 100% won’t dance to Mysterious Girl (or Insania) on Strictly

Behind the scenes as Strictly couples rehearse together for the first time

Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli is already misbehaving - and it's only the launch show