Maisie Smith concerned Strictly judges may "nitpick" her performances

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief

Published: October 20 2020 | 16:59

Last updated: October 23 2020 | 20:26

Maisie Smith says that she fears the Strictly Come Dancing judges will pounce on "the slightest mistake" in her performances.

Maisie Smith has shared her fears that the judges on Strictly Come Dancing may be overly critical of her due to her favourite status.

The 19-year-old EastEnders star won a one-off charity edition of the show for Children In Need last year and is the firm favourite with the bookies to triumph in the new series.

Earlier this week, head Strictly judge Shirley Ballas warned Smith not to get carried away with the hype surrounding her, advising her not to "take anything for granted".

Speaking to the Radio Times, Smith appeared to suggest that she is already capable of a high level of performance and as a result is worried that the panel may resort to pouncing upon "the slightest mistake" in her routines.

"People definitely have high expectations of me now, so I feel they're going to nitpick," she told the publication.

"If I make the slightest mistake, the judges will point it out."

The first of this year's live shows airs this Saturday night on BBC One.