Strictly Come Dancing’s Catherine Tyldesley makes light of the show’s infamous 'curse'

Catherine Tyldesley has joked that she and her husband are “still married” after “stressful” cardio sessions to prepare her for Strictly Come Dancing.

The actress, who previously played Eva Price in Coronation Street, has revealed how her personal trainer husband, Tom Pitfield, has been helping her get ready for the show.

The couple have been married since 2016 and Tyldesley, 35, has no worries about Strictly’s infamous “curse” affecting her relationship.

Speaking to the Standard Online and other reporters, she explained how she Pitfield has been helping her.

“I’ve done more cardio,” the actress said. “My husband is a PT and he said, ‘Let’s try and get your feet moving faster,’ because I’m used to weight training.

“The first few sessions I did with him he’d be like, ‘Ok, now go fast,’ and I’d be like ‘No this is fast, this is it.’

“So that’s been quite stressful. But we’re still married.”

The couple have a four-year-old son, Alfie, together and Tyldesley added that he’s “excited” for her to hit the dancefloor.

“My little boy is just so excited,” she said. “In the wardrobe we found him a little sequinned dickie bow so when he’s watching he can wear it.”

This weekend sees the much-awaited launch of Strictly 2019 as the celebrities find out which professionals they’ll be paired with.

They then have two weeks to brush up on their skills before the first live show.

The Strictly Come Dancing launch show airs on BBC1 on Saturday 7 September, at 7.10pm