Archive November 3, 2025

Since September, TV personality and podcaster Vicky Pattison has been tipped for the final and has conquered her fears on Strictly Come Dancing every Saturday night. Hannah Britt and her for a chat.

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She’s jumped out of a helicopter on I’m a Celeb and faced the judges on Celebrity Masterchef. But nothing has filled Vicky Pattison with fear quite like performing live in front of the nation on Strictly Come Dancing. “The pressure, and being out of my comfort zone, is sometimes exhausting,” laughs Vicky, 37, a television personality, radio presenter and author. She’s been partnered with professional dancer Kai Widdrington on this year’s series. “Kai has always been incredibly patient. And I really hope that if the lovely public stays behind me as long as they have so far, I’ll be able to beat these nerves. I am finally starting to put them to one side and begin enjoying the experience, which is so important because I know it will go by so fast and I want to savour every single second. I am so blessed to be part of this wonderful family.”

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Clearly, Vicky’s dream was to have Strictly. If you want to look foolish on live TV, especially if you’re someone like me and have no prior dance experience, there’s a lot of graft involved, she says. “I’ve wanted to do it for years, I suppose. But I never wanted to speak with anyone. I was fine waiting my turn because so many amazing people did it. But when I got the call, I thought, “What are you doing this winter/autumn?” I was completely shocked. I had a great time. I cried a little bit.

When Vicky isn’t jiving on our screens of a Saturday, she’s at home with her husband, Ercan Ramadan and their two rescue labradors, Max and Milo. She was recently unveiled as an ambassador for Dyson and Currys to mark the launch of the new V16 Piston Animal (complete with a hair de-tangling feature). “I love nothing more after a long day of training, or working, and coming back home and cuddling up with the lads,” says Vicky. “I feel very lucky. I think everybody, if they’re honest with themselves, wants to be in a healthy, happy relationship and to feel loved and seen. “Our house is chaotic, full of energy, so loving. And that’s just the dogs. They’re the good type of naughty, although they have chewed a pair of designer shoes recently…”

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Busy Vicky also presents popular podcast Get A Grip with Strictly alum Angela Scanlon. “She told me in summer to start using surgical spirit to harden up my feet. I wish I’d been more diligent with that one because the blisters are no joke,” says Vicky. Pete Wicks, too, who made it to the final of last year’s series, has offered advice. “He said to me last year, ‘You just forget anybody is there, you can’t see anyone, you just go for it’… but I politely disagree.

I simply want to turn off, feel the music, and be a Latin goddess because I can see the judges’ faces and the crowd. You’re never going to be the best dancer, he said, and that’s true. “But you’re a nice person, so go on there and show everyone your personality and who you are,” he said, “and they’ll fall in love with you like I did.” He is such a nice man.

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Vicky burst onto our screens aged 21 in MTV’s Geordie Shore. Speaking on Strictly, in an emotional moment Vicky commented that she was making her family proud. I really try to make my family proud. I try to be patient, kind, work hard, all the kinds of things you’d want your daughter to be. “Im really glad I am getting the opportunity to show that to them.”

Taking part in Strictly has surprised her. “Well, firstly I realised I’m not as fit as I thought I was,” laughs Vicky, who presents the Saturday afternoon show on Heart radio. “But I’m also shocked at how much it all means to me. Everything I do I throw myself in 110%, whether it’s eating kangaroo balls in the jungle or trekking up a mountain for charity. It’s not about public perception but my need to prove to myself that I’m capable.”

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Vicky says she’ll be turning her attention to a new show with E4 called “motherhood and what that looks like for us” after finishing Strictly. She shared last year that she had frozen her eggs, which is appropriate. Vicky says, “I feel really blessed to be able to freeze my eggs and give us that little cushion so I can pursue my career and pursue what I love.”

“But I do anticipate having hairy, half-turkish, half-Gordie babies someday in our family.” I’ll require two Dysons. The joke that Ercan is currently under a sex ban is being circulated, which is untrue. Our relationship is very happy and well-balanced; I’m just tired of the dancing!

A huge Black Friday offer from AG1 has just been dropped, which gives you the celeb-approved supplement for less and lots of free extras.

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All-in-one green vitamin drink AG1 is a popular choice for celebrities, sportspeople, and health professionals because it is typically a time for overindulgence during Christmas. Since the brand has recently discontinued its best offers of the year, making it typically quite a pricey to purchase, now is the time to shop.

The Black Friday sale for AG1 began early, with a discount on all of its subscriptions and a bundle of freebies that will save you over 50%, and includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Lewis Hamilton, and Victoria Beckham among its fans.

This straightforward beauty tip, which is a game changer, was given to me by famous MUA Hannah Martin.

READ MORE: A former barista’s experimented and tested early Black Friday deals on coffee makers

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The most widely used option is to sign up for a 30-day supply of AG1 powder, which costs around £2.63 per day, according to the current price, which is currently reduced from £97 to £79 for your first order.

However, you’ll also receive a special Black Friday package that includes a shaker, bottle of vitamin D3+K2 drops, AG1 gym bag, and canister for free until December 2. You’re saving 51% by purchasing it for £79 this November because the item would normally be worth £162 total.

Another option is the Black Friday sale on AG1 travel packs, which is a great way to save 48% on the cost of the product itself as well as the package of free extras.

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AG1, a multivitamin in powder form with over 70 different ingredients, is advised to be consumed first thing in the morning and claims to help the body in a variety of ways, including reducing fatigue to improving skin, hair, and nail health. You can read my full review here, but I’ve previously taken this and really noticed the benefits. The recognizable formula has recently been updated to be even better than ever.

The new formula from AG1 now includes five new clinically tested bacterial strains and has been shown to significantly increase friendly bacteria in the gut in comparison to rival products like IM8 (and probably also now Victoria’s) vitamin drink brand. Additionally, it now has more magnesium, which is both digestible and digestible.

AG1 is still, of course, quite expensive. However, the price of IM8 is even higher than IM8 (which I’ve also tried), which is only £89 per month. Huel Daily Greens, which costs £45 per month or £50 per one-time purchase, is a slightly less expensive option that might be worthwhile to try out in place.

According to Phil Smith, a stylist to the stars, the colder months can wreak havoc on our tresses. However, there is assistance available.

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There’s so much to love about autumn – cozy knits, warming drinks, falling leaves and the excuse to hunker down with a good book and a glass of red. But as the temperatures drop and the central heating goes on, your hair might be experiencing a seasonal change of its own. From dryness and static to frizz and breakage, the colder months bring a whole new set of challenges. Eight times British Hairdresser of the Year nominee Phil Smith is used to seeing winter-ravaged locks in his award-winning salon in Salisbury, Smith England. He has tended the locks of some of Britain’s most glamorous women, from Tess Daly and Michelle Keegan to Emily Blunt. And the good news is, he says, with the right tweaks to your haircare routine – and a few cheap hacks – you can keep your locks looking fabulous all winter long.

THE BLESS: Dryness

Hair loss: According to Phil, “One of the most frequent winter complaints I get is hair that feels like straw.” “Your hair loses moisture because of the dry, brittleness of your hair,” according to the authors. A hair mask that almost everyone in the kitchen can make is a great value and super effective. Apply a tablespoon of olive oil as a mask to wet hair’s mid-lengths and ends by combining it with one tablespoon of honey. For 30 minutes, cover yourself with a shower cap, shampoo twice, and follow normal. It really provides and nourishes and costs only 19p per time.

The issue is that it ends in secrecy.

HAIR HACK: “Make sure you get a trim every six to eight weeks; split ends travel up the hair more quickly in the winter, and layer up with silk or satin beanies to reduce breakage and static.”

The issue is color fading.

HAIR HACK: We all know how much the sun can have an impact on our dyeing, but did you know that you might need to visit your colorist more frequently in the summer? The hair’s cuticle “does not hold on to color molecules as effectively when it is rough or dehydrated,” as it does frequently in the winter. They simply evaporate more quickly, according to Phil. When we take a shower in the winter, it’s tempting to turn up the heat, which opens the cuticle even further, accelerating color loss. Colored hair will turn dull, faded, or brassy far sooner than expected due to the lack of hydration caused by central heating.

The positive news, then? The main goal of maintaining your color is to preserve moisture. Sealing the cuticle and keeping pigment in are all done with cold water rinses, hydrating masks, and color-safe products. The Colour Protect Shampoo and Conditioner from Phil Smith Professional Haircare costs $14. Always finish your shower by washing the area with cool water, he advises.

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Breakage IS THE PROBLEM

HAIR DAMAGE: Even those dreaded autumnal downpours can cause hair loss. Do you not believe us? It can be tempting to pull your hair back into a ponytail or bun if you get caught in an unplanned shower, says Phil. However, when hair is wet, it is at its most vulnerable because it stretches more easily and has less elasticity, which makes it much more susceptible to breakage, according to Phil. When the hair shaft is in stress, you are putting tension on it by holding it up tightly while it’s damp.

What’s the solution then if you don’t want to spend the entire day looking like a drowned rat? Try to air dry your hair until at least 70% of the moisture is gone before tie it up, choose a soft, snag-free silk scrunchie like Minnie Scrunchies in Slip Silk (£45), and keep the style loose.

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The cause is a flaky scalp.

HAIR HACK: If you’ve noticed that your scalp feels tight, itchy, or has started flaking more, you’re not alone. “It’s often mistaken for dandruff, but it’s really just dryness caused by central heating and overly hot showers,” says Phil. “Brushing your scalp gently with a soft-bristle brush like the MD London Padd Detangling Brush (£23) can help stimulate circulation and reduce flakiness,” he adds. “Then, incorporate a weekly scalp treatment like my Phil Smith Professional Haircare Hydration Scalp Treatment (£14) is a leave-in product that hydrates, smoothes and strengthens hair. Like a facial for your scalp, the ultra-nourishing formula contains hyaluronic acid to moisturise, while natural sugar beet leaves hair feeling stronger, with a beautifully glossy shine.

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