Olympic gold, a place on Gladiators, and now Strictly, where she scored two coveted 10s for her Couple’s Choice routine. It’s been a wild year for Tabby Stoecker, 25, who became Britain’s youngest Olympic skeleton sled champion in February, winning team gold with Matt Weston.

By her own admission, skeleton is a ‘niche’ sport, so showbiz is almost entirely new to her. Yet the BBC talent show has long been part of the plan – when asked why she wanted to compete in the Olympics, she once said, ‘I want to go on Strictly Come Dancing!’

Here, she talks nerves, dancing and why her feet are in a state…

You’re used to pressure, but how do the Strictly nerves compare?

I’m very good at handling fear and nerves, especially coming from an extreme sport like skeleton. I channel them into excitement and into a performance. But putting yourself out there on TV in a dress, doing something you’re a novice at, is different. It adds an extra layer of apprehension.

Is it embarrassing being up so close and personal with your pro partner, Mark Karmalita?

Of course, I’m human! We’ve been working on eye contact and facial expressions, but he makes me laugh, so I look at him and immediately break character. He’s effectively teaching me his craft, so I have so much respect for him. I’ll do whatever he says, even if it means staring at him intently for 20 seconds.

Do you try to find a character for each new dance?

Yes. That doesn’t come naturally to me at all, unlike actors or people who are used to being in the public eye. It’s really important we find one every week, because without it, my face is blank. I’m just concentrating. I think that’s going to help me grow the most, because it’s about the feeling you have while you perform.

Do you feel vulnerable?

Extremely. My brain can’t comprehend how many people have seen me dance on TV. Skeleton is quite a niche sport, so I’ve never really had to confront public opinion before. I loved voting as a Strictly viewer, but as the person dancing, it’s so vulnerable.

How have fans reacted?

It’s honestly touched my heart. People have been so positive and kind.

And how’s your body holding up?

It’s a totally different movement style for me – and in heels! In skeleton, I train like a 100m sprinter, so I focus on my lower body, not my arms. This is really posture and arm-heavy, so by the end of the day I can’t lift them. And I’ve never had to think about my feet so much. I’m strapped up with multiple blister plasters. I have blisters the size of toes on my toes.

Have you had advice from Gladiators Montell [Douglas] and Harry [Aikines-Aryeetey]?

They’ve both done Strictly and told me not to underestimate the training, to remember blister plasters and try to enjoy the moment.

Would you call yourself body confident?

I’ve spent a lot of time working on my body to get to the Olympics. I would say I’m super confident in my body – it’s a well-oiled machine. I’ve worked hard – countless hours in the gym and sprinting to make my body really work for me, and I am proud of what it can do. For me, that’s what body confidence is about. It’s not about how my body looks, but what it can do. It’s done something incredible this year.

Congratulations on becoming a Gladiator – how does it feel?

Insane! What a year. None of this was on my bingo card. My life this time last year was just completely unrecognisable to me now. Who am I? Gladiators is an amazing chance to inspire young people to be active, which I’ve always cared about, and now Strictly is another platform to do that.

Olympic gold, Gladiator – would lifting the Glitterball complete your 2026 trophy cabinet?

Of course! That would be a dream come true. I don’t know what I’ll do next. When an amazing opportunity falls into my lap, so to speak, I’m always up for giving it a try.