Strictly Come Dancing contestant and actress Alex Kingston has opened up about the emotional “hiccup” she experienced during last week’s live show, revealing that a lifelong struggle with “number dyslexia” played a role in her performance setback.¹ While her dance still managed to earn a total score of 30 from the judges, Kingston was visibly emotional when discussing the difficulties she faced (The Guardian).

Appearing on the companion show It Takes Two alongside her supportive professional partner, Johannes Radebe, Kingston reflected on the experience with host Janette Manrara. Despite the initial disappointment, the actress asserted that the challenge has ultimately made her “stronger.”

Finding Strength in Vulnerability

When asked if the struggle could be viewed as a positive in hindsight, Kingston agreed. “I think nobody is not vulnerable. I think everybody will have a moment,” she stated, adding that having a “hiccup” is simply “part of the journey” for those who are new to dance. “It’s not a nice feeling. But, at the same time, it just makes you stronger,” she concluded (BBC). This sentiment underscores the intense pressure and emotional toll the weekly training and live performances take on the celebrity contestants (The Mirror).

Johannes, her professional partner, was equally supportive, but admitted the pair had struggled to embed the choreography ahead of the Paso Doble performance. “Listen, I knew I had something special by Wednesday. And I said to Alex that I wish we had one more day,” he explained. “But it just took a while longer with the Paso Doble. And that was just a little bit of a struggle. If we had one more day, we would have been amazing.” The show’s demanding schedule often leaves little room for error, requiring rapid memorisation of complex routines (The Daily Express).

The Impact of 'Number Dyslexia' on Choreography

Kingston revealed the unexpected challenge that arose during rehearsals: her previously managed struggle with numbers, which she described as similar to “number dyslexia.” While she has known about this issue her entire life, having “no Maths qualifications whatsoever” and resorting to counting on her fingers even for card games, she never anticipated its impact on dancing.²

“I didn’t realise until we started rehearsing that it was a problem for me,” she confessed.³ “Just keeping those numbers and the counting in my head.” She elaborated that dealing with numbers can cause her to "completely freeze," akin to the cognitive difficulties experienced with traditional dyslexia (The Independent).⁴ Choreography in Latin and Ballroom requires precise counting and spatial awareness to hit specific beats and timing cues—a fundamental component directly challenged by her condition. This revelation offered fans a genuine insight into the often-unseen struggles contestants face when attempting to master a completely new skill under extreme pressure (Radio Times).

Looking ahead, Alex admitted she feels far more "positive" about the upcoming week’s routine, suggesting she and Johannes have found a new strategy to overcome this particular hurdle. The pair are scheduled to perform the Waltz next, a classic ballroom style that requires smooth, continuous movement and often different counting rhythms than the Latin dances (BBC). Fans and judges alike are eager to see if this new focus translates into a higher score and a smoother performance as the competition heads toward the crucial later rounds.