Victoria Derbyshire was "sh***ing it" ahead of meeting Martina Navratilova, and couldn’t stop hugging the tennis legend.
The 50-year-old broadcaster came face-to-face with the 62-year-old superstar – widely regarded as one of the best female tennis players of all time – while filming for ‘The All New Monty Ladies’ Night’, on which the pair and other stars will strip to raise awareness of female cancers, and she and Coleen Nolan were like "teenage girls" while meeting Martina.
She told this week’s ‘Series Linked’ podcast: "That was an incredible experience. We realised that to have someone of her legendary status on board who’s had breast cancer herself, and who you wouldn’t necessarily imagine to have had breast cancer.
"Obviously, sporty, healthy, determined, the stamina and all that sort of stuff.
"So Coleen [Nolan] and I went over to where she lives in Miami and we met her. We were sh***ing it, I’ve got to be honest.
"We were scared because she’s so … Martina Navratilova is really daunting. In a good way, such a legend, successful etc etc. And then we met her.
"We were a bit like little teenage girls. It’s Martina. And we hugged and I said, ‘Hi. How are you? Thanks for meeting us.’
"And then we got into her convertible car and just before we got in, I was getting in the back seat. I said, ‘I know it sounds really pathetic, but can I just hug you again because you are a legend?’ Obviously, she hugged me.
"She must be used to that all the time and I just felt really pathetic but I did it. Because I’m in awe of this woman. She’s amazing. And we got to know her over that first meeting."
Victoria and Coleen teamed up to take on Martina in a tennis match, and the radio presenter found it "so funny" that she was advising the tennis legend on the court, and that the ‘Loose Women’ panellist was throwing expletives in Martina’s direction.
She added: "We got to know her a bit over a period of hours and then we played tennis with her. By that stage, oh my God, we were having such a laugh.
"We felt confident enough, it was me and Coleen obviously, against … and she was knocking them over the net and I was saying, ‘Listen, Martina listen.’
"And she was saying, ‘You’re telling me to listen on a tennis court?’ And Coleen was swearing at her and she was just taking it.
"It was so funny and you know what she said, which was really interesting? She said when she takes part in any kind of project or programme, it’s always her on her own. It’s her being filmed knocking a ball over a net.
"She said, ‘It’s so nice to have some people to bounce off. Some women to have a laugh with.’ "
‘The All New Monty Ladies’ Night’ airs tonight (07.05.19) at 9pm on ITV.
Victoria Derbyshire couldn’t stop hugging Martina Navratilova on first meet
