Victoria Pendleton slimming down on Strictly

Olympic gold medal winner Victoria Pendleton has slimmed down during training for Strictly Come Dancing - her tough regime has halved the size of her thighs.

The cyclist has been hard at work with partner Brendan Cole ahead of her debut on the show this weekend, spending hours in rehearsal studios to perfect her moves.

However, Pendleton has shed so much weight she admits she no longer recognises her legs - but she's just happy to be learning a new skill.

She tells The Sun, "I spent my whole life trying to get bigger, muscly thighs and now they're just disappearing. It's going to take a bit of time to get used to - they don't look like my legs any more.

"It's been so exciting so far and a surreal world of glitter, false lashes and hair extensions. I've been wearing Lycra my whole life so it did feel a bit odd to start with.

"I don't feel under pressure to perform because this isn't my arena. I spent my life doing something I was good at it and I was very lucky. But dancing is not my thing, so if I fall flat on my face I'll be like, 'Well, that's life!'"