Mon, 14 Nov 2011
Strictly Chelsee: gang attacked me
Attacked ... Strictly Come Dancing star Chelsee Healey
Published:12thNovember 2011
STRICTLY favourite Chelsee Healey was beaten and robbed by a gang of girls — for simply being famous.
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The terrified 23-year-old suffered a black eye and bruises and was too scared to go out for months afterwards.
Chelsee, who plays Janeece in BBC1's Waterloo Road, said: "I was in a club called Sankeys in Manchester with my sister and two friends.
"We noticed four girls staring. It was clear they knew who I was. I didn't want any trouble so we just danced and ignored them.
"But when I went to the toilet they pounced on me.
"One punched me in the back of my head then the others grabbed and hit me.
"I was dragged to the floor and they stole my BlackBerry.
"Bouncers pulled them off but the damage had been done — both mentally and physically."
Too upset to go to the police, Chelsee went home to her mum and stepdad in Eccles, Manchester, and raided the freezer for something to soothe her bruises.
She laughed: "All I could find was frozen scallops!"
But she went on: "At first it was just the bruises I had to deal with. But then the real fear set in. I didn't go clubbing for months after that.
"That is one of the perils of fame — there are nasty people out there.
"I don't know if they are jealous or just cruel.
"People are usually supportive but there are nutty fans who want to hurt you in any way they can."
A few months after her ordeal Chelsee was approached to go on Strictly.
And she thought it would be the perfect way to get fit — even though she used to fake sickness letters for school PE and made just one visit to a gym she joined.
"I decided to challenge myself and I'm loving every minute."
Last week Chelsee and partner Pasha Kovalev, 31, topped the leader board with a Charleston. Tonight, on BBC1 at 6.55pm, they will try to repeat their success with the foxtrot.
To get into character, Pasha asked Chelsee to be My Fair Lady's Eliza Doolittle for the day.
Dressed to the nines, the pair went out for a posh high tea.
Chelsee said: "I don't know what my foxtrot outfit is like yet. I don't get the sexy outfits. Everybody says I am the cute one — maybe that is why I don't get chatted up much!
"I've been single for a year. I wouldn't dare chat up a man myself."
The shy actress said she had watched herself on Strictly but can't bear to switch on Waterloo Road because "I hate the way I sound".
She added: "I would love to get to the final for all those people who have supported me.
"Yes there are some horrid sods out there but Strictly has made me realise that there are fans rooting for me too."
SPEAKING for the first time about the wardrobe malfunction that nearly revealed her 32DD boobs, Chelsee said: "I was so upset I started crying."
The slip came as she danced the tango with Pasha on Halloween. The star said: "My costume didn't feel right. The lining was coming out. I thought I'd exposed myself to everyone."
CRUEL fans have ridiculed Chelsee's spelling on Twitter,not knowing she is DYSLEXIC.
She said: "I was diagnosed at 16 and struggle with writing and reading, so it's hurtful. Yes, I could have announced it on Twitter but I wonder why people have to be so cruel. Why do they take the time to be so nasty?"
The actress said fans had also bitched about some of her Strictly outfits. She added: "It's difficult to be slagged off and simply ignore it."
Chelsee, who plays Janeece in BBC1's Waterloo Road, said: "I was in a club called Sankeys in Manchester with my sister and two friends.
"We noticed four girls staring. It was clear they knew who I was. I didn't want any trouble so we just danced and ignored them.
"But when I went to the toilet they pounced on me.
"One punched me in the back of my head then the others grabbed and hit me.
"I was dragged to the floor and they stole my BlackBerry.
"Bouncers pulled them off but the damage had been done — both mentally and physically."
Waterloo Road star ... Chelsee
She laughed: "All I could find was frozen scallops!"
But she went on: "At first it was just the bruises I had to deal with. But then the real fear set in. I didn't go clubbing for months after that.
"That is one of the perils of fame — there are nasty people out there.
"I don't know if they are jealous or just cruel.
"People are usually supportive but there are nutty fans who want to hurt you in any way they can."
A few months after her ordeal Chelsee was approached to go on Strictly.
And she thought it would be the perfect way to get fit — even though she used to fake sickness letters for school PE and made just one visit to a gym she joined.
She said: "It did cross my mind that it would make more people recognise me and that something bad could happen again. But mum said I couldn't let that hold me back. You can't let people like that win.
"I decided to challenge myself and I'm loving every minute."
Last week Chelsee and partner Pasha Kovalev, 31, topped the leader board with a Charleston. Tonight, on BBC1 at 6.55pm, they will try to repeat their success with the foxtrot.
To get into character, Pasha asked Chelsee to be My Fair Lady's Eliza Doolittle for the day.
Dressed to the nines, the pair went out for a posh high tea.
Chelsee said: "I don't know what my foxtrot outfit is like yet. I don't get the sexy outfits. Everybody says I am the cute one — maybe that is why I don't get chatted up much!
"I've been single for a year. I wouldn't dare chat up a man myself."
The shy actress said she had watched herself on Strictly but can't bear to switch on Waterloo Road because "I hate the way I sound".
She added: "I would love to get to the final for all those people who have supported me.
"Yes there are some horrid sods out there but Strictly has made me realise that there are fans rooting for me too."
My nightmare as boobs slips
SPEAKING for the first time about the wardrobe malfunction that nearly revealed her 32DD boobs, Chelsee said: "I was so upset I started crying."
Wardrobe malfunction ... Chelsee breaks down after her dress breaks
Bullied by Twits
CRUEL fans have ridiculed Chelsee's spelling on Twitter,not knowing she is DYSLEXIC.
She said: "I was diagnosed at 16 and struggle with writing and reading, so it's hurtful. Yes, I could have announced it on Twitter but I wonder why people have to be so cruel. Why do they take the time to be so nasty?"
The actress said fans had also bitched about some of her Strictly outfits. She added: "It's difficult to be slagged off and simply ignore it."
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