Loose Women’s Judi Love details her ‘four pound’ weight loss on Strictly thanks to Graziano Di Prima

‘We’re both very spicy!’ Loose Women’s Judi Love reveals she’s lost 4lb during Strictly thanks to dancing with the ‘very passionate’ pro-dancer Graziano Di Prima


Judi Love has revealed her impressive 4lb weight loss after beginning to compete on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.

The Loose Women star, 41, spoke to her fellow panellists on Monday’s show, saying: ‘I’ve lost about five pounds already, well, maybe pushing five, about four.’ 

It’s all thanks to her ‘very passionate’ pro-dance partner, Graziano Di Prima, 27, who she took to the ballroom floor with last Saturday for their first performance on the show.  

 Impressive: Judi Love has revealed her ‘four pound’ weight loss after beginning to compete on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing

The comedian said: ‘It was an amazing weekend. It’s just overwhelming but exciting.

‘Nervous to think 10 days ago I couldn’t even do those steps and Graziano has been able to push me in a way I’ve never been pushed before.

She continued: ‘I was hella nervous, I was shaking before I went on. They had to give me a sweet so I could level out. You ladies know what it’s like. The music, the band.

'Very passionate': It's all thanks to her 'very passionate' pro-dance partner, Graziano Di Prima, 27, who she took to the ballroom floor with last Saturday for their first performance on Strictly

‘Very passionate’: It’s all thanks to her ‘very passionate’ pro-dance partner, Graziano Di Prima, 27, who she took to the ballroom floor with last Saturday for their first performance on Strictly

'Exciting': The comedian said: 'It was an amazing weekend. It’s just overwhelming but exciting'

 ‘Exciting’: The comedian said: ‘It was an amazing weekend. It’s just overwhelming but exciting’

‘Graz is very passionate about what he does but he’s very compassionate to me and my needs. He said, “you’ve got this”.

Being in that place and wearing that outfit, strutting my stuff, I found it a bit of a challenge. I was like “what do you mean be sassy?” When I know that is me.’

She also told her co-stars that she’s even sharing a dressing room with the hunk, playfully joking that ‘it’s so hard’ for her to do.

'It's so hard': She also told her co-stars that she's even sharing a dressing room with the hunk, playfully joking that 'it's so hard' for her to do

‘It’s so hard’: She also told her co-stars that she’s even sharing a dressing room with the hunk, playfully joking that ‘it’s so hard’ for her to do

‘We are sharing a dressing room, I’m really upset about that. It’s so hard.’

But nonetheless, Judi isn’t afraid to embrace her more passionate side alongside her pro-dancer. 

‘We’re both very spicy. My background is Jamaican, he’s Italian. I’ve been learning a lot more about his journey.

On the show: The professional dancer also appeared on Loose Women, via remote means, where he gave his expert verdict on Judi's dance skills so far

On the show: The professional dancer also appeared on Loose Women, via remote means, where he gave his expert verdict on Judi’s dance skills so far

‘I’ve lost about five pounds already, well, maybe pushing five, about four.’

Reassuring her, Penny added: ‘You’ve got to brush away every bit of insecurity, dance like no one’s watching kind of vibe. 

‘The important thing is learning those steps like it’s second nature.’

Throwback: Recalling her time on the show, Ruth responded: 'I never knew my steps, I swear to God. I was so nervous, I’ve never known nerves like it.' Pictured in 2017

Throwback: Recalling her time on the show, Ruth responded: ‘I never knew my steps, I swear to God. I was so nervous, I’ve never known nerves like it.’ Pictured in 2017

Recalling her time on the show, Ruth responded: ‘I never knew my steps, I swear to God. I was so nervous, I’ve never known nerves like it. You have to really throw yourself in.’

Crowned a ‘diva’ following her first dance, Judi and Graziano delivered an impressive American Smooth to Chain Of Fools by Aretha Franklin, which earned a score of 24 points out of 40.

Craig praised: ‘You’re certainly a woman who knows what she wants and I had to say if I was dancing in drag I’d have done what you did, frame needs a bit of work but I thought you did really really well.’

Passionate: But nonetheless, Judi isn't afraid to embrace her more passionate side alongside her pro-dancer

Passionate: But nonetheless, Judi isn’t afraid to embrace her more passionate side alongside her pro-dancer

STRICTLY COME DANCING 2021: WHO ARE THE CONTESTANTS?

TOM FLETCHER

Age: 36

Profession: McFly musician

Tom says: ‘I’m so pleased the news is out it’s been so hard keeping it secret. Equal parts excited and terrified.’

Fun fact: Tom’s McFly bandmate Harry Judd won Strictly Come Dancing in 2011. Tom’s wife Giovanna Fletcher is the reigning champion of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

ROBERT WEBB

 Age: 48

Profession: Actor and comedian

Robert says: ‘It’s very exciting but with a slight undertone of quivering terror.’

Fun Fact: Robert squeezed into a shiny leotard to take the title of Let’s Dance For Comic Relief in 2009, performing What A Feeling from ’80s film Flashdance, beating the likes of Keith Lemon and Paddy McGuinness to the title. 

RHYS STEPHENSON  

Age: 27

Profession: CBBC presenter  

Rhys says: ‘I have dreamt about being on this show, and I know for a fact that it is going to exceed every expectation’

Fun fact: Rhys has been an actor since the age of ten, performing alongside Matt Smith and Hugh Bonneville. 

KATIE MCGLYNN

 Age: 28

Profession: Actress

Katie says: ‘I’m really not a dancer, but I’m so excited to learn a new skill on this crazy journey and cannot wait to slip into some sequins along the way.’

Fun fact: Katie, who played Sinead Tinker in Corrie, won a NTA for Best Serial Drama Performance in 2020. 

TILLY RAMSAY

Age: 19

Profession: CBBC presenter

Tilly says: ’I’m going to put my heart and soul into this and can’t wait to get my dancing shoes on!’

Fun fact: Tilly’s father is celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and the pair often star in dancing TikTok videos.

NINA WADIA  

Age: 52

Profession: Actress

Nina says: ‘I think I should do this before I’m too old and can’t walk anymore. I just want to grab life by the horns and just enjoy it.’

Fun fact: Nina is a JDRF Ambassador and was awarded an OBE in the 2021 New Year’s Honours List. 

ADAM PEATY

Age: 26

Profession: Athlete 

Adam says: ‘I’m really looking forward to doing something totally different and challenging myself away from the pool.’

Fun fact: Adam becoming the first British swimmer to defend an Olympic title at Tokyo 2020.

UGO MONYE

 

Age: 38

Profession: Rugby player and sports pundit

Ugo says: ‘What a dream come true! Strictly is the biggest entertainment show on TV and I can’t wait to show everyone I’ve got more than just dad dancing moves.

Fun fact: Beginning his rugby career at Harlequins in 2002, Ugo went on to make 241 appearances for the club where he scored 89 tries, won a Premiership and made his England debut in 2008.

 

AJ ODUDU

Age: 33

Profession: TV presenter

 AJ says: ‘I think it’s going to be really challenging. I can’t wait for the sequins, the wigs, the glitz and the glamour.’

Fun Fact: Apocalypse Wow hosts AJ has featured on a whopping 14 TV shows this year, competing in the likes oF Cooking With The Stars and Celebrity Karaoke Club. She has appeared as a panelist on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two in the past, too.

JOHN WHAITE

Age: 33

Profession: Great British Bake Off Winner and TV chef

 John says: ‘I’m so grateful, excited, and nervous to be joining the Strictly 2021 family… I’ve been wearing sequins and jazzy attire since I was three years old and can’t wait to hurl myself, full throttle, around the most glamorous dance floor on earth’

Fun Fact: John is set tp be part of the first ever all-male partnering – the first in 17 years of the show.

SARA DAVIES 

Age: 37  

Profession:  Businesswoman

Sara says: ‘I’m really nervous because so far the producers keep asking me if I can dance… Truth be told – I haven’t got a clue! I’ve not danced since I did ballet lessons when I was little.’

Fun fact: Sara was the youngest ever dragon on BBC show Dragons’ Den.

DAN WALKER

Age: 44 

Profession: Journalist

Dan says: ‘I’m enjoying the experience when it starts of learning to dance. I’ll be honest I’m not making room on any shelves in my house for the glitterball.’

Fun fact: Dan recently quit Football Focus after 12 years at the helm and has been covering Tokyo Olympics.

 GREG WISE

Age: 55

Profession: Actor

Greg says: ‘It’s about being out there and exposing yourself as someone who can’t dance, and learning.’

Fun fact: Greg is married to the actress Emma Thompson who he met while filming Sense and Sensibility.  

ROSE AYLING-ELLIS

Age: 30

Profession: Actress

Rose says: ‘I hope I will do the deaf community proud and break down more barriers. I am also very excited to learn an incredible new skill.’

 Fun fact: Rose will make history as Strictly’s first deaf contestant. 

 JUDI LOVE

Age: 41

Profession: Comedienne 

Judi says: ‘I’m truly looking forward to pushing myself in something that I could have only dreamed of doing and now it’s actually coming true!’

Fun fact: Judi began comedy when she performed a set in front of her class for a degree module.

 

 

 

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