Strictly Come Dancing star hints at return to show after being forced to quit over panic attacks
WILL Young has addressed his departure from Strictly Come Dancing after being forced to quit due to panic attacks.
The Leave Right Now singer took part in the BBC One competition back in 2016.
Will, 45, was partnered with Karen Clifton before he suddenly left the ballroom during the series.
Now, he’s revealed he left the show due to panic attacks that he was experiencing “24 hours a day”.
Speaking on The One Show, he said: “I wish I had experienced it when I wasn’t ill, because I would’ve loved it.”
He continued to hosts Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas: “I love dancing, I trained in ballet and contemporary.
“I was actually really excited about doing the show but just leaving the house going 20 yards to the corner shop was hard.
“I was in the middle of a protracted breakdown and PTSD, and I learned very quickly I wasn’t able to do this. It was a heightened agoraphobia.
“Imagine having panic attacks 24 hours a day. I don’t know how I managed it, to be honest.”
Will had ignored doctors’ advice and still took part in the show when he realised he was far from ready.
However, he’s now revealed he wants to return to Strictly Come Dancing – but on a condition.
He said: “If I did it now, I would dance with a male partner. I don’t think it was an option [back then]. I don’t think it was a conversation, now.”
Will appeared on The One Show to promote his brand new single Falling Deep as well as his new show Light It Up which kicks off later this year.
He shot to fame in 2001 when he applied for new TV show Pop Idol and successfully got through every round, despite initially underwhelming judges Simon, Nicki Chapman, Pete Waterman and Neil Fox.
Will clashed with Cowell throughout the series after the music boss kept giving his performances poor reviews.
Eventually, Will found himself in the final and just managed to best his rival Gareth Gates, getting 53.1 per cent on the phone vote overall.