Catherine Tyldesley warned Strictly partner she’s ‘a bit heavier’ after Xmas binge

Catherine Tyldesley warned her ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ partner Johannes Radebe that she might be a "bit heavier" ahead of the ‘Strictly Live Tour’.
The 36-year-old actress is set to hit the dancefloor once again for tonight’s (16.01.20) launch of the nationwide run in Birmingham, and revealed that she confessed to the professional dancer that she put on a few pounds after overindulging at Christmas.
According to The Mirror Online, Catherine said: "I texted Jo Jo over Christmas and said, ‘Momma’s had a few mince pies, might be a bit heavier.’
"I tired not to go overboard at Christmas but by the time I’d finished ‘Strictly’, all I wanted to do was eat and sleep!"
The pair were eliminated from the 2019 series of the BBC One Latin and ballroom show during the Halloween special in week six last October.
However, they will reunite – along with Saffron Barker and partner AJ Pritchard, Alex Scott and Neil Jones, and Karim Zeroual and Amy Dowden – this evening.
For the tour, Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse have been split up, due to ‘The Greatest Dancer’ judge Oti’s other work commitments.
Instead, the former ‘Emmerdale’ star has been paired with Janette Manrara.
Similarly, ‘EastEnders’ star Emma Barton has teamed up with Graziano di Prima after being partnered with Anton du Beke.
Catherine previously insisted she planned to continue dancing.
The blonde beauty also heaped praise on Johannes Radebe, who she thanked for transforming her life.
She said: "He is like, my best friend. And just … the opportunity to work with amazing people, and I never thought I’d say this, but I’m going to keep it up.
"I fell in love with it – and I’ve loved every second. This man has changed my life."
Meanwhile, Catherine – who shares four-year-old son Alfie with husband Tom Pitfield – is looking to the future and hopes to welcome another baby soon.
But the former ‘Coronation Street’ star hasn’t found the time to bring another member into their clan just yet.
She added: "You’re always going, ‘When the time is right!’ I don’t know when that will be because I’m so busy but I’d love to have another one at some point."