I'm strictly free of fake tan: Sophie Ellis-Bextor refuses to use it in case she becomes addicted
By EMMA LOWE
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She adores the glitter, sequins and sparkle of Strictly Come Dancing.
But when it comes to fake tan Sophie Ellis-Bextor refuses to use it – because she fears she’ll become addicted.
Five weeks into the competition the mother-of-three is the only contestant not resorting to tanning mist. ‘I’ve never had a tan naturally through sunlight,’ she said in a TV interview.
Free of fake tan: Sophie Ellis-Bextor, pictured with Strictly dance partner Brendan Cole, fears getting addicted
‘And it would just be the start of an addiction that I’d have to keep up all the time. So I think I better stay away. It also might look a bit ridiculous on me.’
So far 11 litres of fake tan have been used by the current Strictly celebrities, says Jules Heptonstall, the show’s tanning beautician.
‘Susanna [Reid] likes her tan the darkest and has been known to ask for more,’ she said. ‘Abbey Clancy literally bangs the door down for her appointment.’
The 34-year-old singer insisted if she bronzed her milky-white skin it would leave her looking like a ‘freak’ and has therefore avoided the fake tan at all costs.
In interviews leading up to the show’s launch in September the singer– who is married to Richard Jones, 34, the bassist for indie band The Feeling – said: ‘I’ve never had a spray tan in my life. I think I’d look weird and ridiculous. I’ll do the dresses and the sequins but not the tans.’
Porcelain: Sophie Ellis-Bextor fears fake tan would make her look like a 'freak' - and was praised by viewers
The singer, pictured left with dancer Brendan Cole, has impressed the judges on the BBC show
She added: ‘When I see myself all dressed up for the show, there’s part of me thinking: ‘Who’s that?’ I don’t consider myself glamorous - I think of myself as a mum, a musician and someone who has been pretty lucky in life.
‘I suppose with fake tans they’re good on everyone else but I’d look like a freak.’
The singer is not the first celebrity to ditch the offer of an orange glow. Previous contestants to also do so include model Jerry Hall, former Tory MP Ann Widdecombe and actress Sheila Hancock.
A Strictly insider said: ‘Not all celebs dive into the Strictly tanning booth - last year Jerry Hall shunned the spray tan also because Anton doesn’t favour them himself.
'The male celebs tend to only have a spray tan for the weeks they are doing a Latin routine, but soon they get just as addicted. Harry Judd and Robbie Savage two years ago couldn’t get enough!'
Fans of the show on Twitter showed their support for the singer, saying they were glad she hadn’t ‘succumbed’ to the ‘orange tan.’
Jill Theobald tweeted: ‘Love how Sophie Ellis Bextor is continuing to refuse the spray tan – pale is interesting.’
The reality show, hosted by Tess Daley and Sir Bruce Forsyth, features celebrities with professional dance partners competing in ballroom and Latin dances.
Last Sunday Dragon’s Den star Deborah Meaden and partner Robin Windsor lost in the dance-off to injured actor Patrick Robinson, despite the 54-year-old’s waltz being praised by judges.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2483932/Im-strictly-free-fake-tan-Sophie-Ellis-Bextor-refuses-use-case-addicted.html#ixzz2jWIg9Bqk
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