Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Sophie Ellis-Bextor thought she had "broken a bone" when she was practicing a handstand.

The 34-year-old singer - who has children Sonny, nine, Kit, four, and 17-month-old baby Ray with husband Richard Jones - admitted her rehearsals with 'Strictly Come Dancing' partner Brendan Cole left her thinking she is more skilled than she actually is, and things almost went badly wrong when she was left alone to practice.

She said: "As we practised, he always caught my legs. Unfortunately, I got it into my head that I could do a handstand - not appreciating that you can't really do a handstand if someone is always holding your legs.

"I tried to practise at home and went crashing straight into the baby's cot. I thought I'd broken a bone."

And while Sophie is one of the favourites to win this year's competition, she thinks the fact her family life means she can't fit in as much rehearsal time as she would like could be her comeuppance.

She said: "Believe me, it will show."

Fellow contestant Fiona Fullerton - whose most famous role came as a Bond Girl opposite Sir Roger Moore in 1985's 'A View to a Kill' - had described her as the "dark horse" of this year's 'Strictly' competition.

She insisted: "I think Sophie's absolutely beautiful. And she's good on the dance floor too. I think she's the dark horse of this competition."