‘I'd love to be a judge on Strictly!'

Ballroom star Natalie Lowe chats about switching from Strictly to motherhood and why she’s not ready to hang up her dancing shoes just yet

- ANNA BAILEY

When Strictly Come Dancing pro Natalie Lowe quit the show in 2017 to focus on starting a family, she had no idea of the heartbreak she’d endure before achieving her dream. The 39-year-old has been open about suffering two miscarriages before giving birth to son Jack in December last year. He’s her first child with sales manager husband James Knibbs, who she married in her native Australia in January 2018.

When we call the new mum for a catch-up, she tells us how important it was for her to speak out. “I want others to know they’re not alone. And not to feel shame. Sometimes nature is just a bit brutal,” she says.

Having a child isn’t the only big change in Natalie’s life. “My husband got a new job, we moved into a new house, had a baby and got a puppy all at the same time,” she says.

“Parenthood has been wonderful,” she adds. “I don’t get frustrated if Jack has a tantrum. I’m just so grateful we managed to get there in the end.”

Here, Natalie chats about looking after a newborn in lockdown, trying for another baby and setting her sights on Bruno Tonioli’s job on the Strictly panel…

Hi Natalie! How have you found the first six months of motherhood?

I’m blessed with a beautifully calm baby and I can’t believe how much personality he’s giving back already. Obviously there were sleepless nights in the beginning, but he’s a brilliant sleeper at the moment. Lots of mums out there probably want to rip my hair out!

Was it difficult going into lockdown with a young baby?