Claire King thinks Strictly celebs must have 'sneaky lessons' as they're 'too good'

Claire King thinks Strictly Come Dancing’s celebrity contestants must be having "sneaky lessons" during the series - because they're "way too good".

The 60-year-old actress - best known for her role as Kim Tate in ITV’s ‘Emmerdale’ – appeared in the fourth series of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ back in 2006, and the ‘Bad Girls’ actress, who finished sixth in the dance competition alongside pro Brendan Cole, thinks the contestants' dancing abilities have improved.

She said: “I looked forward to doing 'Strictly' as it was learning a new skill and I really fancied doing it. But because of my arthritis, it was such hard work and very painful.

“When I did it, people would come in with two left feet – now I think the celebs must go off for sneaky lessons as they’re way too good!”

Since ‘Strictly’, Claire appeared in ‘Celebrity Big Brother’, but she admits that apart from the ballroom competition she isn't a huge fan of reality TV.

Talking about her ‘CBB’ experience, she added: “I’m going to be completely honest. I only went in there to pay for the divorce! In terms of enjoyment, it depends who you go in with. I didn’t know most of them, but I did get on really well with Gary Busey, so I was pleased when he won it.”

Claire was married to her on-screen step-son Peter Amory for 10 years, but she filed for divorce after discovering her husband was having an affair with their ‘Emmerdale’ co-star Samantha Giles.

Since her divorce, Claire has met a new partner, but he prefers to keep out of the public eye.

She added to OK! magazine: “He couldn’t give a damn about showbiz. He’s a very down-to-earth Yorkshireman and isn’t bothered.

"He’s not the type you could ask to join a photoshoot, he’d tell me to b***** off!

"I don’t mind that at all – it gives us some privacy.”