Sally Nugent 'too scared' to think about Stictly but reveals why she is doing the Christmas special

Sally Nugent had always been "too scared to think about" going on 'Strictly Come Dancing' - but will appear in the Christmas special.

The 52-year-old journalist - who is best known for fronting BBC Breakfast - is taking part in the festive special of the Latin and ballroom competition alongside professional partner Graziano Di Prima and admitted that she accepted the opportunity because there isn't as much "pressure" for the one-off special compared to the regular series.

She said: "It was all about timing, I’ve always been too scared to even think about Strictly, and it’s always been one of those things where lots of people who do my job do it and I’ve always run in the other direction. But you know what, I just thought it was time to do something joyful and fun and happy, and escape from the real world for a little bit, and go into this bubble of glitter, and sequins and happiness and giddiness.

"I just loved the idea of doing Christmas because it felt like everybody is going to be happy, there’s no pressure, it doesn’t feel like it’s a competition to me. It feels like it’s a chance to have a laugh, and spread a little joy on my favourite day. It’s one of my favourite shows to watch on Christmas day anyway, so to be in it is incredible."

However, the TV presenter admitted that she hasn no dance experience at all and is relying solely on the help of her professional partner to teach her what she needs to know as she joked it took her a while to be able to walk in a straight line.

She said: "I'm not a stage school kid, I’m not trained in any way, so to even be on the stage is a win for me. Graziano has been dancing for 21 years and I’ve been dancing for two weeks, so he’s needed to give me a lot of advice. Not a natural dancer at all. Graziano had to teach me to take steps forward, and take steps backward, and it took a long time for me to even just walk in a straight line."

The 'Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special' will air on Christmas Day at 4.40pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.