Sam Quek opens up on hidden connection to chosen ‘icon’ ahead of BBC Strictly dedication: ‘She’s amazing’

Strictly Come Dancing star Sam Quek has opened up about her hidden connection to their chosen “icon” for this weekend’s performance.

On Saturday night, for the first time in Strictly history, the remaining couples will take to the Ballroom floor to honour music icons.

The Strictly stars will pay tribute to some of the most recognisable and influential people in the music industry.

For Quek and partner Nikita Kuzmin, the couple will be performing to the iconic singer Taylor Swift, leaving the Olympian to reveal her surprising collection.

Touching on how she is channelling Swift during their training, Kuzmin admitted: “We’re doing Love Story by Taylor Swift. She’s sick. She’s just an amazing, powerful woman.”

Quek added: “Taylor Swift. She’s been through so much and has been publicly humiliated. She started from the bottom, in terms of a little stage in a park with 20 people watching and she had setbacks but she kept going.

“We’re similar ages so I can relate to Taylor Swift, even though she’s in another stratosphere of fame and success. I’ve been through that in terms of setbacks and knockbacks and people saying you can’t do that, you’re not good enough, and then actually just being like, I can do it.”

Both Kuzmin and Quek revealed their grandparents are the icons of their real life.

During Halloween week, the pair scored an impressive 31 out of a possible 40 for their Jive to Time Warp by The Rocky Horror Picture Show Cast.

Kuzmin sent shivers down the audience and viewers’ spines when revealing he was wearing a corset and suspenders underneath his costume.

The couple joined It Takes Two host Janette Manrara where she revealed her love for the revelation but had to remind Kuzmin she was happily married.

“I know you loved it Janette, I know you did love it!” Kuzmin teased before she hit back: “I am a married woman don’t you dare!

“Lace, suspenders, a corset, I mean you were the talk of social media! There were so many comments! Seriously! That was clearly a moment but how was it for the two of you to do that big reveal?”

Kuzmin explained: “The thing is, you can’t be afraid to put yourself out there right? Strictly we are all about having fun.

“Entertaining the audience at home and just having that reveal which you know, it is a little bit provocative, it is right, you don’t usually turn up on Saturday night in suspenders and thong…

“If you do then! No, but I think it is just a fun moment and just going for it, not being afraid of having a little risk.”

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Later in their chat, Manrara once again mentioned the suspenders to Manrara, Kuzmin teased: “Janette, have you ever seen Romeo, in suspenders?”

She quickly hit back: “Nikita, don’t put things in my mind please, I need to focus!”