Strictly’s Matt Goss says show has helped with body confidence after struggling with rare condition
STRICTLY’S Matt Goss has revealed how the show has helped with body confidence after struggling with a rare condition.
The Bros singer has received some harsh comments from the judges after his three dances so far on the BBC show.
Last week, Anton Du Beke compared his frame to an ‘unmade bed’ but Matt has revealed he has a rare condition that affects his muscles and means he needs specially made costumes for Strictly.
Matt, 54, has Poland syndrome, which leads to underdeveloped muscles on one side of the body.
As well as affecting posture, it can cause abnormalities in the chest, shoulder, arm and hand.
But Matt insists the condition isn’t holding him back and he has already seen improvements thanks to his rigorous training with pro-partner Nadiya Bychkova.
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He said: “My posture has improved since being on Strictly. I want to say to the judges, you’ve made me want to improve this and be proud of my posture.
“I want to thank them. This is a journey for me – every week I am getting stronger.”
Matt also praised Strictly’s costume department for working closely with him to make sure his outfits fit correctly and comfortably.
He said: “The costume team were relative strangers at the beginning but from the start they’ve always been very kind and discreet – it has really touched me.
“I have one pectoral muscle on the right side instead of two. The lower one is missing but the upper one is fine and strong.”
Matt explained how if he gets a jacket made, it will pull on the right side more because of the missing pectoral.
He added: “I have it tight on my right so it counterbalances my left side. Slim tailoring is good for me and my fashion is determined by my chest shape.”
Matt explained how he used to cover that side of his body when he posed for pictures in his Bros heyday.
But with his newfound body confidence, he plans to reshoot some of his most iconic snaps and show his chest.
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He said: “Those original pictures tell a story – I was self-conscious then.”
While twin brother Luke does not suffer from Poland syndrome, it can affect one in 20,000 newborns, and twice as many males as females.
Strictly Come Dancing airs tonight at 6.30pm and is available on BBC iPlayer.