Sequinned and smiling, Strictly Come Dancing contestant Jacqui Smith has come a long way since her surly days as a Britain’s first female Home Secretary.
Jacqui, 57, says this sunny new persona is her true self – bubbly, two-and-a-half stone lighter, and glowing with happiness having found love again after splitting from her husband.
And she insists quitting the Cabinet 11 years ago was the turning point.
She adds: “Being in Government, you spend a lot of time being defensive.
“That doesn’t lend itself to spontaneity or humour. When you leave politics is there is an element of liberation. This is the real me.”
Jacqui’s two years in office ended after the 2009 expenses scandal, when it emerged her now-ex Richard Timney – her former aide with whom she has two adult sons – claimed for two pay-per-view porn films on her parliamentary expenses.
When their 33-year marriage ended in January this year, she feared she would never find love again.
She says: “You do think, ‘Is that the end of my life being able to be shared with another person? One of the big differences about dating in your 50s is you come to it with history.
“It’s then a real joy, particularly if you’ve been through a tough personal time, like I have, to know there are other people out there who are fun.”
“It’s then a real joy, particularly if you’ve been through a tough personal time, like I have, to know there are other people out there who are fun.”
The trauma of divorce, she says, can be character building. “My sister thinks I’m a nicer person for going through difficult times.”
As she dances the samba on Strictly tonight with dance partner Anton Du Beke, the transformation is complete. She says: “I take selfies and send them to my family and friends and say, ‘Look what they’ve done to me!’
“I started running soon after I finished as Home Secretary but upped it in recent years. I’m pleased about being much more physically fit.
“I’ve realised during Strictly that a bit of stamina is a good thing.”
Jacqui was at the bottom of the leader board last Saturday with 13 points out of 30, and is the odds-on favourite to be the first to be axed from the competition.
While judges Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse praised her effort in the foxtrot last week, Craig Revel Horwood awarded her a 3.
She says: “My challenge this week is to get Craig to recognise I’ve made progress. Three weeks ago I’d never danced, so I feel proud of myself.
“One of the good things about being 50-plus is you can say, ‘I’m going to do it as well as I can, but if you don’t like it, I couldn’t care less.’
“When you get older the important thing is to grab opportunities. I’m at the point in my life where my children have left home, I am in a new relationship.
“I’m free to explore those sorts of things now.
“That’s exciting.”
