Olympian Sam Quek has revealed that while on Strictly Come Dancing, she discovered a lot about herself behind the scenes despite her fame for her sports career.
Olympian Sam Quek has opened up about the personal journey she endured during her time on Strictly Come Dancing. The star found fame playing hockey but last year, she challenged herself in new ways while appearing on the BBC dancing competition.
The 36-year-old has since left her professional sports career and has frequently appeared on various programs, including ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and the Celebrity Masterchef on BBC.
Sam, who was raised in a sports loving family with her brothers, is no stranger to intense training, which led to her Olympic career, but she admits to discovering much more about herself while watching Strictly.
“My Strictly experience was amazing, it was so hard – but in a good way,” Sam exclusively told the Mirror. The Liverpudlian star went on to say: “It was one of the toughest but most rewarding and enjoyable challenges that I’ve ever done. But I did find out a lot about myself.
Being glammed back up after realising that I still enjoy getting my hair done and my make-up done was such an amazing experience because I think that the competitive side of having kids is still present.
I thought I could dance, but Sam’s joke goes on to say, “It might be a few wines in the interim.” Although it was an amazing experience, I also realized that I lack elegance and that I would probably be better suited for playing soccer if I needed it.
“Putting in big tackles, pushing people off the ball. But Strictly was fab and I definitely learnt a lot about myself.” This year, Sam is returning to Soccer Aid for the second time and will be playing alongside Louis Walsh, Tom Grennan, Sir Mo Farah and Sam Thompson on the England team.
“I can’t wait for Soccer Aid this year,” she excitedly revealed at Manchester’s Hotel Football – overlooking the pitch at Old Trafford. She added: “Last year was my first year and I was blown away. I think now it’s come up north, although I’m a Liverpool FC fan, and it’s at Old Trafford, I still think it’s going to be one of the most amazing experiences. I can’t wait.”
Sam, however, has never been a fan of football. She signed to Tranmere Rovers F.C. as a junior before choosing to concentrate on hockey and put football on the back burner when she was 16 years old. I didn’t have many female sporting role models that I knew or could see growing up.
She continued, “My twin brother was Robbie Fowler, and we used to play football together in the garden. I grew up wanting to be Steve McManaman.” It’s amazing to be almost living out a childhood dream while attending Old Trafford. Sam the footballer is unquestionably alive.
Although she was signed to Tranmere, Sam never got to play at Prenton Park “we didn’t see any of that,” she said. But heading out onto the pitch at Old Trafford, home to Manchester United, one of the world’s biggest footballing clubs “besides Liverpool,” is “just going to be a special moment,” she gushed.
Sam’s heart is on Sam’s side when he participates in Soccer Aid. mother to three-year-old Isaac and daughter Molly, four. She said, “Soccer Aid for UNICEF is amazing for us to experience playing with some of the world’s best footballers.”
Sam continued: “Ultimately, underline it all – it’s the money raised for UNICEF, I think being a mum, you want your child to thrive, to give them the best start, to be health and to be happy. I think if anything comes in the way of that then any help, any money, any vaccinations and any support that you can get is the greatest thing in the world.
“To be out there playing is one thing, but to raise money, I think that’s just so important.” But while Sam is both excited and nervous for the match on June 15, she cannot wait to play alongside Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney – “it’s proper bucket list stuff,” she said.m “Scholsey is one of the best midfielders that England has ever had.”
She exclaimed, “Rooney as well, one of the best strikers, I just can’t wait.”
The match takes place on Sunday 15th of June at Old Trafford, Manchester, with adult tickets priced at £20 and juniors from £10. Tickets are available now on the Soccer Aid for UNICEF website.
Source: Mirror
Leave a Reply