Victoria Pendleton felt 'helpless' after 'Strictly Come Dancing' debut

Olympic gold medallist Victoria Pendleton has admitted that she felt 'helpless' when she fluffed her first performance on Strictly Come Dancing.

The retired cyclist broke down in tears after she appeared on the BBC One programme for the first live show a fortnight ago alongside professional dance partner Brendan Cole.

"I left all of my pride in tatters on the dance floor after my first performance," said Pendleton. "I felt prepared beforehand. But then I stepped out into the spotlight, forgot one step and it all went wrong.

"I just didn't have the dance experience to recover. I have never experienced that feeling of helplessness before."

The 32-year-old, who remembered all the steps to her second routine, survived the first public vote last weekend.