Maisie Smith has opened up about her experience on Strictly Come Dancing, revealing that her time on the BBC One was “scarier” than her stint on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins

Maisie Adam has revealed that her time on Strictly Come Dancing was actually “scarier” than Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins – despite ‘crying the whole way through’ the Channel 4 show. Maisie took part in the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing with partner Gorka Marquez.

She made it all the way to the final that year but lost out to champion Bill Bailey in the final episode. She went on to compete in Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins in October 2022 and won the series alongside Ferne McCann, Calum Best and AJ Pritchard.

Appearing on Loose Women today, Maisie admitted that Celeb SAS took its toll – but Strictly was scarier. It comes after BBC Strictly Come Dancing start date confirmed as line-up revealed.


Maisie Smith on Strictly Come Dancing with Gorka Marquez(Image: BBC/Guy Levy)

“I did cry the whole way through,” Maisie said of Celeb SAS. “Celeb SAS is worse than it looks, even when I was watching it, it was like 10 per cent of how it actually felt.”

She added: “Strictly was scarier because it was my first time being on TV, was a shock to the system. But SAS was so physically demanding, you can’t compare them.”

The 24-year-old ex-EastEnders star also opened up about her partner Max George – who recently underwent heart-block surgery and was fitted with a pacemaker. Sharing an update on his health, Maisie said: “Max is getting stronger every single day, gigs every weekend, so he gets all week to chill. Except not because he’s got to travel and see me but he’s doing well.”

As for whether she would return to EastEnders, Maisie didn’t rule it out. “You don’t know, you never know, but I’m enjoying being on stage, the show that I’m doing is gonna be incredible,” she said.

Earlier today, Strictly announced its next three stars who are set to take on the ballroom challenge – with The Apprentice’s Thomas Skinner, Geordie Shore alumni Vicky Pattison and Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis joining the 2025 cast.

This year’s stars of Strictly were spotted heading into rehearsals earlier today as Strictly fever began over in Elstree, London.