Catherine Tyldesley says ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ gave her the confidence to be naked.
The former ‘Coronation Street’ actress – who appeared on the BBC ballroom competition last year – admitted she even used to dim the lights if she was stripping off in front of her husband Tom, but that has "massively changed".
Catherine felt self-conscious when a costume designer asked her to get undressed to try on a sparkly dress, but the crew member told her: "Look Cath, I’m going to see you naked a lot over the next six months. Get over it."
The 36-year-old soap star – who married Tom in 2016 and has five-year-old son Alfie with him – explained how she felt more comfortable after the experience, but described the process as "a journey".
She laughed: "It’s lights dimmed with Tom, my husband… It’s just getting over that. It’s a journey."
Catherine also revealed how her body confidence grew even more when she was able to ditch Eva Price’s costumes – especially her character’s underwear – after leaving ‘Corrie’ in 2018.
Speaking to stylist Martine Alexander on Instagram Live, she said: "I hated Eva’s bras. Constant push up bras which were perfect for the character, but so uncomfortable."
Catherine recently heaped praise on teachers and called for them to be given a "huge pay rise" as she continues to home school her son during the coronavirus pandemic.
She commented: "Like our NHS heroes, teachers deserve a huge pay rise. Alfie’s teacher has been phenomenal, still there for us every day online and with lesson plans for the class.
"Alfie will happily do his work for his teacher, but when it comes to mummy it’s a different thing.
"I was joking with her the other day, saying: ‘You know Alfie will return to school illiterate but he will know the full vocal score to ‘Annie’ and ‘Les Misérables!” "
Catherine Tydlesley says Strictly gave her confidence to be naked
