Judy Murray has told of the amazing wave of public support that has made her Strictly’s surprise star.
Judy, 55, has been savaged by the expert panel for her stiff dancing and lack of rhythm since the series began.
Yet despite weekly criticism (and once again she finished bottom of the judge’s scoring in last night’s outing), she’s proven an unlikely favourite, with bookies now predicting she could go the final as a deluge of viewers’ votes have steered her clear of dance-off drama.
“It’s great to know so many are behind you and enjoying what they’re seeing for whatever reason,” Judy told The Sunday Post before taking to the floor last night.
“When I’m out and about now, I’m so much more aware of the phenomenal interest in Strictly.
“I was being dropped off the other night and these four roadworkers started shouting: ‘We watch you on Strictly, Mrs Murray. You’re brilliant, keep going’.
“I think people can identify with me as someone who’s just having a go and having a lot of fun.
“Many who’d only have seen me on TV watching Andy or Jamie would have thought I was a scary lady. If I’d watched myself I’d have thought the same. But I’m actually pretty chilled and like to have a laugh and I’m pleased people are getting to see what I’m really like.”
Next week, Strictly heads to Blackpool’s Tower Ballroom for its biggest week outside the final, and viewer votes could see Judy and partner Anton Du Beke, 48, waltz right there.
“I was very happy just to make Halloween week because I’d been in the audience last year,” admitted Judy.
“Every week is a bonus as I’ve been in the bottom two or three from the judges’ comments every single week. So I’m taking nothing for granted, but I’d love to be in Blackpool.”
Andy’s tennis commitments have stopped him coming along so far, though Judy has told how he votes every week and turns the TV volume down so he doesn’t hear the judges’ cruel remarks.
Judy admits success in his current tournament at the O2 in London would scupper him making Blackpool but says: “He just needs to do his own thing.”
Judy revealed she had enjoyed a role reversal, giving Anton nightly tennis lessons after “all the hours he’s been grinding away trying to get my feet in the right place”.
She said: “If he’s staying over in Scotland we’ve been getting to play and it’s been great getting payback. But we’ve become great friends and not seeing him and the others in the show each day is what I’m going to miss most when it’s all over.”
Andy made his first appearance on the show last night, in a light-hearted filmed segment just before Judy took to the floor.
The programme was again co-hosted by Zoe Ball, 43, as Claudia Winkleman, 42, stayed with eight-year-old daughter Matilda who was seriously burned in a horror Halloween accident.
“That was a real tragedy and everybody here is sending our love and best wishes and hoping her daughter recovers,” added Judy.
Meanwhile, EastEnders star Jake Wood, 42, said he wasn’t shocked at Judy’s success. “I think when you’ve got the whole of Scotland voting for you it could take you all the way to the final.”
The Strictly results show is on BBC1 tonight at 7.45pm.
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