Alex Kingston Reflects on the “Hiccup” in Her Strictly Come Dancing Journey

Alex Kingston has spoken candidly about the emotional “hiccup” she encountered last week on Strictly Come Dancing, revealing how her so-called “number dyslexia” significantly affected her performance.

Over the weekend, Alex’s dance did not go quite as she had hoped — even though the judges still awarded her a total of 30 points. She became visibly emotional during her post-performance chat with host Claudia Winkleman. 

On the November 13 episode of It Takes Two, Alex appeared alongside her professional partner, Johannes Radebe, to speak with Janette Manrara. There, she opened up about what went wrong — and, more importantly, how she now views that challenging moment more positively. 

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From Vulnerability to Strength

Alex admitted that the experience, while painful, has made her feel more resilient. She told Janette:

“I think nobody is not vulnerable. I think everybody will have a moment. Because that is part of the journey, isn’t it?” 
She acknowledged that for someone who has never danced before, missteps are inevitable: “If you have never danced before then there is always going to be a point at which you have a hiccup. It’s not a nice feeling. But, at the same time, it just makes you stronger.” 

Johannes backed her up with heartfelt praise, noting how close he felt they were to capturing something truly special in their routine. He said he wished they’d had “one more day” to solidify the moves, especially for the paso doble, which he admitted was more challenging than expected.

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The Role of “Number Dyslexia” in Her Struggles

One of the most significant revelations Alex made was about her difficulty with numbers — a condition she described as “number dyslexia,” also known medically as dyscalculia. While she has known about it for some time, she said it only became a real obstacle during rehearsals for her latest dance.

She explained:

“I have no Maths qualifications whatsoever. But it has never been a problem in my life. Even playing card games, I count on my fingers … I didn’t realise until we started rehearsing that it was a problem for me. Just keeping those numbers and the counting in my head.” 
She admitted that when she has to “deal with numbers … I kind of freeze … they make me completely freeze.” 

The lack of lyrics in her paso doble music — the track “Amparito Roca” by Jaime Texidor — made things especially difficult for her. Because she often relies on vocal cues to help count beats, the lyrical absence left her less anchored, which she said “was quite difficult.” 

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Emotional Toll and Support

Alex’s vulnerability clearly touched people. During her emotional conversation with Claudia Winkleman, the host led the group in a heartfelt group hug, showing the support she had from both the show’s cast and her fellow competitors. 

The judges also offered kind but honest feedback. Motsi Mabuse noted signs of insecurity in Alex’s performance, calling it the first time she’d felt that from her. Craig Revel Horwood described the routine as “a little bit middle of the road.”  Despite this, Alex maintained her composure, and Johannes emphasized how much promise he saw in them — if only they had more time to perfect it.

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Looking Forward: Hope and Growth

Despite the tough week, Alex said she feels more optimistic about what’s next. Her willingness to be open about her dyscalculia has resonated with many, and she emphasized that this kind of vulnerability is part of her personal and dancing journey. 

She reflected that while not every dance can be perfect, the challenges make her strive to improve. “Ultimately, you are just competing with yourself … we don’t see each other during the week … but the opportunity to just catch up … is really lovely,” she shared.

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In summary, Alex Kingston’s tough week on Strictly Come Dancing — marked by tears, revealed struggles with counting, and a dance that felt “off” — has become a turning point. Rather than shying away, she has embraced the difficulty, calling it a moment that has strengthened her resolve. As she looks ahead to her Waltz next week, she seems more determined than ever to channel both her vulnerability and her passion into her performance.