​Strictly star Kate Silverton on how rehearsals have helped her dance into her old wardrobe

KATE Silverton says her Strictly rehearsals have helped her drop two dress sizes and dance into her old wardrobe.

BBC newsreader Kate, 48, has seen the pounds melt away and she’s now in such trim shape she’s back to fitting into her wedding dress.

“I’m not really weighing myself, but I feel it,” Kate said. “The costume department have been measuring me and they tell me I’ve dropped two dress sizes.

“I’ve been into the attic and I’ve now got a whole new ‘old’ wardrobe. There are all these lovely clothes I haven’t worn for about eight years.

“Last Sunday I called my husband Mike and the children upstairs and I was there in my wedding dress. It was a complete thrill.

“The children had never seen the dress before. It prompted a lovely conversation about how mummy and daddy first met.”

And Kate says her new figure has been the talk of her village with her neighbours getting inspired onto the floor.

“I’ve had loads of messages,” says Kate. “I was out with the kids for Halloween and while they were knocking on doors I had all the mums saying it was inspiring.

“We were in doing This Morning last week and we bumped into Jane Moore and the Loose Women gang who were having their production meeting.

“Jane said they’d been chatting and while they’d said before they wouldn’t do Strictly, I was inspiring them. That’s got to be a lovely thing to take away.”

Last night saw Kate and professional dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec do an Argentine tango. And, despite never having danced before signing up, she admitted she got right into the passionate spirit of it.

“It’s a sexy song and the dance itself is very sultry and sensual.”

The routine was choreographed by a dance pro, Alexandra, and former Strictly favourite Vincent Simone. And such is her newfound love of dance, Kate says she won’t be giving it up when her glitterball adventure is over.

“I will definitely be keeping on dancing,” said Kate.

Kate says Royal Marine husband Mike can sometimes struggle to maintain his military toughness when he sees her in action.

“He’s very proud of me,” she admits.

Kate is desperate to keep doing well.

“Every week has been a gift and now I’ve got Blackpool in my sights,” she says.

Strictly Come Dancing: The Results tonight BBC1 7.50pm.