Strictly Come Dancing star left 'very frustrated' in rehearsals and casts doubt on show future

Strictly Come Dancing contestant Sam Quek has revealed her struggles during rehearsals and how adopting an alter ego has helped with her progress in the competition. The hockey star was left disheartened last week after a mistake in her Quickstep routine with dance partner Nikita Kuzmin.

On the night, judge Anton Du Beke commented that the pair were "so close" but "wasn't quite magnificent", while Motsi Mabuse described it as "a little miss today". Head judge Shirley Ballas attempted to comfort the duo, reminding Sam in particular that even "the best world champions" make mistakes.

As she prepared for a Jive for this week's Halloween special, 36-year-old Sam discussed the highs and lows of being competitive in rehearsals.

"I have to be careful at times because I do get very frustrated if it's not clicking as quick as it should," she admitted. "I just want to get it right, I want to learn and then I want to move on to the next thing."

"So I think it’s helpful, but it could also be a bit of a detriment, but that’s when Nikita comes in and tells me just to chill out."

To help her perform on the live shows, the contestant said she transforms into 'Samantha', "who’s a little bit more like, ‘ooh’."

However, despite these efforts, she confessed that she doesn't believe she has what it takes to win the Glitterball trophy.

"We've always said it's about the process. I don't think I'm going to win but I have an expectation in myself to work hard and put myself out there and just see what happens," she added to The Mirror.

Tonight, Sam and Nikita are set to perform a Jive to Time Warp from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, aiming for a more successful week.

JB Gill will also be hoping to to stay clear of the dance-off this weekend, following his battle to stay in the competition against Paul Merson last week.

Strictly Come Dancing airs tonight at 6.25pm on BBC One.