STRICTY Come Dancing star Susan Calman has revealed competing in the show has helped in her fight against depression.
The Scottish comedian has quickly become a fan favourite after five weeks of competition alongside partner Kevin Clifton.
She said the show had "undoubtedly" boosted her self confidence as well as helping her to think more positively.
"I'm a great believer in exercise helping depression," Calman said.
"The absolute joy I am getting from performing on a Saturday night, it is helping without question, helping my mood and how I feel about things."
She added: "I'm not 6ft tall, I suffer from self-confidence issues like a lot of women and men and I'm kind of doing it to show you can put yourself out there and you can have fun doing it.
"I've gone out and danced live in front of nearly 11 million people on a Saturday night and people seem to be enjoying it so my self-confidence is going up."
Asked whether she thought that was helping her to connect with viewers, Calman said: "Anything that helps people is a fantastic thing and if me doing it is helping people then that's great.
"I've always been very positive about my depression and it doesn't need to be as horrific if we talk about it and are open about it.
"The great thing about Strictly is there are millions of people who had absolutely no idea who I was and are simply responding to someone really trying their best to do a Cha Cha.
"I'm exactly like everyone who is sitting at home. Last year I was sitting on my sofa with a takeaway and a bottle of wine watching Strictly and now I'm doing it."
She revealed last week's impressive quickstep had led to her and Clifton being chased round the supermarket near their training base in Glasgow by fans offering compliments.
"It really does change things but in a really good way because the absolute wave of love and joy we got after Saturday night was incredible," Calman said.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here