People have got their opinions, and you can't please everyone.

When I was little, I carried a book of times tables around everywhere and always tried to get the best score. I like the fact that you don't need any tools, only your head. I also enjoy rules and, with maths, you are either right or wrong.

There's no such thing as a 'maths brain.' Anyone can be numerate; it's just a matter of confidence. There are so many opportunities to improve your skills during everyday life, doing even a little a day can make maths feel more familiar and less scary.

God, I don't think of myself as gorgeous at all!

I use a stylist, which wasn't something I imagined I'd ever do, because I like shopping, but because we prerecord 'Countdown,' I don't want to wear something that everyone has from the high street by the time the programme goes out.

I think there is a real negative attitude to splitting up with someone in our society, but it is good to stay friends.

There's no reason for men to be better at maths than women - it's just about our perception.

We go to the banya, the Russian spa. And you go into the sauna, which is really hot, much hotter than a normal sauna, and then they beat you with branches.

I like to do things where you do learn something and go on a journey, such as 'Strictly Come Dancing.'

I cycle, especially in warm weather. If I have a meeting in town, I would rather cycle than go by car.

You sit men and women down and give them a maths test, and they will do fairly equally. Then you set up the same test, but with different people, and make them tick a box to say whether they are a man or a woman, and the women do significantly worse in the maths test than they did previously in a group set.

It's always flattering when you get compliments, but it's more of a measure of who you are at the time than anything else.

I'm really interested in male and female brains and whether female brains or male brains are better at maths.

From my personal experience, because I'm in a relationship, on paper I would never have imagined - I'm an Essex girl, maths geek who likes football, and I've ended up with a Russian ballroom dancer, and I guess the things you think are important, especially when you're younger, turn out not to be.

My parents supported me through university, and after I graduated, I got a job as an analyst at a price comparison website called TotallyMoney.com.

University was a shock to the system. At times, I really thought I couldn't do it. It's the same with 'Strictly.' I'm completely out of my comfort zone.

The best thing about 'Strictly' is it doesn't matter what level you start at, if you've never put a foot in front of the other in your life.

When I was at uni, our whole college bar would gather around the quiz machine for a few games every night.

For my 21st birthday party, I had a 'Strictly'-themed fancy dress.

'I'm a Celebrity' is not my cup of tea whatsoever. I don't like the animal cruelty in it, to be honest.

Being bad at maths shouldn't be something to brag about, and I'm glad people are waking up to this, but there's no reason be embarrassed to look for help when it comes to numeracy.

The paso doble is my favourite dance on 'Strictly,' so I'm so pleased I get to do it.

I only applied for 'Countdown' as a bit of a laugh while applying for lots of other graduate jobs. I've had some amazing opportunities, and I've loved every minute.

I've been a fan of 'Countdown' for as long as I can remember, and this is a dream job.