Strictly Come Dancing has been a real gift for Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh

Ranvir Singh and professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice Photo: BBC Pictures

The Preston born journalist and broadcaster, who scored her first 10 after her sizzling Tango for the Blackpool special show said the Strictly experience so far has gone well beyond what she had imagined she signed up for.

Speaking to the Lancashire Post the former Kirkham Grammar School pupil said after a long career in news and politics, the opportunity to turn from Strictly fan to contestant was a 'winning moment.'

The 43 year old said: "I feel extremely grateful and lucky to have been asked to be in it (Strictly Come Dancing)

"That was winning to me. I'm not a very competitive person, never have been. It's very much about the experience and so lovely to see other people do so well.

"I'm a collegiate person at heart - the pros are go for broke. But this experience is so much bigger than one person and that's what I really feel.

"If every Saturday night I can be part in any way of making people feel happy for a few minutes I'm part of it then that is an extraordinary gift."

Good Morning Britain Poltical editor Ranvir and Italian stallion Giovanni have scored consistently high on the series so far with the judges frequently praising their chemistry and technique.

Ranvir, who has been open on the show about her issues when it comes to body-confidence, credited judge Motsi Matbuse for the shift in her perspective.

She added: “She’s a very intuitive person; a few weeks on I can now see what she was talking about in regards to self-worth and allowing that space to reclaim a part of yourself.”

Ranvir added she had been incredibly touched by the hundreds of messages of support she has received and proud to be flying the flag for Lancashire in the competition.

The presenter who was a familiar face alongside Gordon Burns on BBC North West Tonight from 2007 said: "When I was working on NWT we were lucky enough to get tickets to watch the show at the Tower Ballroom and it was just wonderful.

"Rod Stewart was performing live and his wife Penny Lancaster did a dance I remember exactly what I wore and I’ve still got that dress actually.

“In fact I might wear it on It Takes Two at some point.

“Remarkably it still fits me because I’ve now lost some weight.”

Watch Ranvir on Good Morning Britain weekdays from 6am. Strictly Come Dancing, BBC One, Saturday 7.15pm