Fox tot: Former Strictly dancer Erin Boag reveals the real reason behind her departure from the show - she's preggers!
By JUDY COGAN
Erin Boag's departure from BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing at the height of it's success left her fans a little confused.
She cited a need to focus on new challenges as her reasons for leaving, but today the truth behind her departure has been revealed – she is pregnant.
Erin, 38, is expecting her first child with business exec hubby Peter O’Dowd, 46 in the spring and told The Sunday Mirror: 'It’s such a relief to be able to tell all as it’s been strictly mum’s the word these past few months.'
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I'm pregnant! Erin Boag (pictured above) attended the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012 at BBC Television Centre, but turned down a place on this year's show to start a family
There’s been much speculation about Erin's absence from this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
She was a favourite to return as a professional dancer on the show and can now reveal why she turned the coveted job down as she found it increasingly difficult to hide her blossoming bump.
She said another reason she has kept so quiet is that she has been suffering terrible morning sickness, 'morning, noon and night'.
When Erin quit in the summer, she was one of only three dancers to have appeared in all 10 series of the BBC show since it started in 2002.
She and fellow Strictly favourite Anton Du Beke, 47, have been professional partners for more than 17 years, winning a string of awards.
New challenges: Erin left Strictly citing new challenges as her reasons for leaving, but has now revealed she is pregnant (pictured left with Rt. Hon Vince Cable MP)
She has danced with a variety of celebrities such as Julian Clary, hurdler Colin Jackson, ex-Manchester United star Peter Schmeichel and Lib Dem Vince Cable.
When Erin first announced she was leaving – at the same time as Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace – she gave no clue as to the real reason.
She said then: 'After 10 wonderful years, and with a truly heavy heart, I have decided to decline the BBC’s very kind offer to compete again in series 11, and have withdrawn from being a competitive dancer on Strictly Come Dancing. It’s been a very hard decision to make, but it’s time for a change and to focus my attention on new challenges.'
Fans will be pleased to hear she has vowed to honour commitments for a Christmas show with Anton
at the Royal Albert Hall called; ‘Anton & Erin’s Christmas Cracker'.
at the Royal Albert Hall called; ‘Anton & Erin’s Christmas Cracker'.
Despite impending motherhood the star says her career will still be an important part of her life even if she will have to get her costumes taken out a little between now and next spring.
Cha cha child: Erin, who coached Rory Bremner (pictured left) in 2011 is due in spring next year
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2468652/Fox-tot-Strictly-dancer-Erin-Boag-reveals-real-reason-departure--shes-preggers.html#ixzz2iGtSNYze
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