Strictly Come Dancing - Penny Lancaster's paralysis fear

20 November 2007 - Penny Lancaster had back surgery prior to joining Strictly Come Dancing and used the show to heal herself, it has emerged.

Penny, who is married to rocker Rod Stewart and exited the competition in week six, said she did not tell fans about the operation because she wanted to be judged on her dancing ability.

The procedure fixed a slipped disc in her back after doctors told her it may lead to paralysis if left untreated, according to the Daily Mirror, citing Hello! magazine.

She added that muscles in her left foot are not quite in full working order and this may be why she struggled with the high-energy jive routine. However, Penny said she is happy she is able to walk at all.

"I may have been eliminated ... but the training and dancing was the best form of rehabilitation and healing."

The mother-of-one was booted off Strictly Come Dancing after a showdown with EastEnders star Matt di Angelo. Both were in the bottom two but judges chose to keep Matt in the competition.

Penny's exit was followed by Kate Garraway - who many believe should have been the first to go due to her lack of coordination.

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