Tess Daly Forced to Apologise After Vicky Pattison’s On-Set Slip-Up on Strictly Come Dancing

It was another glittering Saturday night on Strictly Come Dancing — the sequins sparkled, the audience cheered, and the judges were in full swing. But behind the scenes, things weren’t all smooth spins and Charleston kicks. Host Tess Daly found herself unexpectedly apologising after Vicky Pattison, one of this year’s most talked-about contestants, accidentally let slip a swear word during a rehearsal mishap that left her more red-faced than rhinestoned.

The incident, which never made it to air, unfolded during dress rehearsals for last week’s live show and has since been the talk of Strictly fans online. Vicky herself later recounted the chaotic ordeal on her Get A Grip podcast, co-hosted with TV personality Angela Scanlon. And while the whole thing might have left Tess blushing in the moment, it also offered fans a rare glimpse of the behind-the-scenes madness that goes into creating the BBC’s most beloved dance competition.

A Charleston to Forget

Vicky Pattison, best known for her down-to-earth humour and candid personality, has quickly become a fan favourite on Strictly. However, her Charleston performance last weekend didn’t exactly go as planned. Dancing alongside her professional partner Kai Widdrington, Vicky received a score of 25 out of 40 from the judges, who felt the routine “lacked swivels” — a key element in Charleston choreography.

But as Vicky revealed later, the real chaos came before the cameras started rolling. In the final dress rehearsal, she suffered what she described as a complete “disaster.”

“Saturday was just like a disaster from start to finish,” Vicky admitted on her podcast. “You know me little headdress thing — obviously I had a wig as well — they put that on, and we were dancing the dress rehearsal. And obviously there’s a move where me head goes down and comes up, and the headpiece just totally detached from the wig and fell over me face.”

Despite her best efforts to keep dancing, the headpiece kept slipping, covering her eyes mid-routine. Kai, ever the professional, urged her to “carry on,” but Vicky confessed she was too flustered to focus. “Honestly, I was so stressed out and angry, I tried to stop,” she said.

The Unfiltered Moment That Made Tess Cringe

Once the dance wrapped up, the hosts stepped in to keep spirits high. Tess Daly, ever the consummate professional, tried to lighten the mood. “Tess goes, ‘Oh, you had a bit of stress there with your headpiece,’” Vicky recalled. “And I said, ‘Me f***ing wig fell off!’”

The unscripted expletive reportedly caught everyone off guard, including Tess, who immediately had to apologise for the outburst — even though it wasn’t during a live broadcast. Sources close to the production said the crew laughed it off, understanding that rehearsals can be chaotic, but Tess still felt obliged to issue a polite apology on behalf of her flustered celebrity dancer.

The exchange, though censored from public view, has since become a favourite anecdote among those working behind the scenes at Strictly. It perfectly encapsulated the unpredictable, very human energy that makes the show so beloved — even when things don’t go quite as planned.

From Rehearsal Disaster to Dancefloor Redemption

Thankfully, the wardrobe team worked their magic before the live show. To prevent another wig-related disaster, the dressmakers sewed the headpiece securely onto Vicky’s wig for the real performance. While her routine might not have wowed the judges, at least there were no unexpected costume malfunctions this time around.

The former Geordie Shore star handled the whole situation with her trademark humour, laughing about it afterward and admitting she’d been “a bit of a drama queen.” It’s this self-deprecating charm that’s won her such loyal fans over the years — and helped her fit right in among the Strictly cast.

Kai’s Faith in His Partner

Vicky’s professional partner Kai Widdrington, meanwhile, has been full of praise for his celebrity student. Appearing alongside her on the Get A Grip podcast, he teased her about the mishap, encouraging her to share the story. But when talk turned to their upcoming dance, the Samba, Kai was all positivity.

“She’s actually good,” he said, laughing. “I’m not duping her this week. She said to me today, after we did the routine, she was like, ‘I actually like this one,’ which I never thought I’d hear. She seems to be growing in confidence.”

Their chemistry, both on and off the dance floor, has been one of the season’s most enjoyable surprises. Fans online have praised their banter, calling them one of the most entertaining partnerships of 2025.

A Glimpse Behind the Glitter

For Strictly viewers, this story is a reminder that even the most polished TV spectacles have their fair share of behind-the-scenes drama. Between last-minute costume fixes, nerves, and endless rehearsals, not everything goes to plan — and that’s part of the fun.

Vicky’s honesty about her experience only makes her more relatable. She’s not afraid to admit when things go wrong, and her candid storytelling gives fans an authentic look at the emotional rollercoaster that comes with competing on Strictly Come Dancing.

As one insider put it, “The audience sees the glamour and perfection on Saturday nights, but what they don’t see are the hundreds of tiny mishaps that happen during rehearsals. The fact that Vicky can laugh about it now shows her strength and sense of humour — that’s what makes her a great contestant.”

What’s Next for Vicky on Strictly?

With the Charleston behind her, Vicky and Kai are now preparing for their next challenge — the Samba. Known for its lively rhythm and fast footwork, it’s a demanding dance, but the pair are confident. Vicky admitted she’s “finally starting to enjoy it,” suggesting that the worst of the nerves may be behind her.

Whether or not she can climb the leaderboard remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: she’s not going to let a rogue wig stop her from giving it everything she’s got.

As for Tess Daly, she continues to host the show with her usual poise and professionalism — even if she occasionally has to smooth over a few colourful moments along the way. After all, live (and almost-live) television is unpredictable — and that’s exactly why viewers can’t get enough of it.

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