Strictly’s Fleur East has jumped at the cha-cha-chance to make her big music comeback.
After reaching the final of the BBC contest at the weekend, the Sax singer will launch a fresh assault on the charts next year with her single Count The Ways, out January 27.
And she told Guilty Pleasures that former dance partner Vito Coppola will help her step up her game.
‘I’ve already booked Vito for a music video,’ spilled Fleur, 35. ‘I’ve played him my new song, and we would love to work together again.’
The former X Factor favourite added she is in a different headspace to when she released her last record, 2020’s Fearless, her first independent album since leaving label Syco.
‘It was shortly after my Dad passed away and just at the time that the pandemic came into our lives, and everyone went into lockdown,’ she recalled.
‘I had to cancel my tour. I had to cancel all my promo. I had to cancel everything. It was such a shame… since then, and since losing my Dad, I’m finding my stride again.’
As for the inspiration behind the much-anticipated tune, Fleur, who is happily married to hubby Marcel, teased it is about seeing the bright side of a break-up.
‘It is all about putting a spin on listing the things that you love about a person, and it flips that narrative – it’s listing the ways that somebody lost you,’ she explained.
‘It’s quite a playful take on ending a relationship and talking to that person that hurt you from a position where you don’t have any pain left, from a position of power.’
These days, Fleur is a familiar voice as the host of the Hits Radio breakfast show – but she’s excited to return to her true passion.
‘Although I do presenting, fitness and lots of other different things, music is my no.1 love, and I always feel quite vulnerable sharing my music with everybody,’ she said.
‘It’s really a deep part of my me… [but] I just feel like I’m in place now where I’m ready for everyone to hear it.’
Fleur will also perform at Union Chapel on March 16. For tickets visit premier.ticketek.co.uk
