Olympic gymnast Claudia Fragapane has been talking about how much she would love to make the final of Strictly Come Dancing.

Along with professional dancer AJ Pritchard, they are one of just four couples to be left in the BBC competition, which reaches its semi-final this weekend.

Claudia may have various gymnastic championships under her belt, but on spin-off show Strictly Come Dancing – It Takes Two, she told Zoe Ball that learning how to dance had been a completely different discipline to master.

Strictly
Claudia and AJ’s Lion King Salsa (BBC)

She said: “I’d be really excited if I got to the final because the showdance would be amazing. Coming in as a gymnast with my straight legs, I really wasn’t a dancer and I’ve had to change all of my technique.”

The pair have two chances to see themselves through to the final as they will be dancing a Quickstep and a Rumba on Saturday night.

Claudia said of the Quickstep: “It’s such a fast routine and I find it really difficult the jumping bits and staying with my head out.”

Strictly
Claudia wants to be a finalist (BBC)

But she seemed to feel more confident about her Rumba to Leona Lewis hit Bleeding Love, saying: “I have fallen in love with this song. It’s nice to get that inner emotion out.”

Last weekend the show’s theme was musicals, which saw the pair perform a Salsa inspired by the Lion King that scored them their first 10, from judge Bruno Tonioli.

She said: “Going out there I really performed it to my best. The scores were 9, 9, 9… is it going to be… yes! I screamed so much I lost my voice.”

:: Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6.50pm on BBC One.