Graeme Swann has revealed he struggled following his exit from Strictly Come Dancing and almost refused to watch the show.
The former England cricketer said he accepted Strictly to replace the high of international sport, and when he was voted off the show, he lost the buzz he craved.
Swann, who made it to week 10 with professional partner Oti Mabuse, said he felt “flat” and struggled to watch the show after his departure.
He told the Press Association: “It’s flat to be honest, because it’s a bubble that you live in, and part of the reason I did it was that I missed the pressure and high-intensity of professional sport. The second you finish, that is it.
“You’re back to reality and doing the school run. I used to struggle with it.
“You do get a buzz.
“It’s like breaking up with somebody you never went out with. It’s really weird.”
Swann was so affected by his departure from the show that he did not feel comfortable watching his fellow dancers continue in the competition.
On watching the first episode after he was voted off, Swann said: “I sat down looking forward too it, then the music started and I walked out the room. I don’t know why, I thought ‘I don’t really want to watch this’.
“I went outside to put the bins out or something, and I watched the first couple of dances through the window.
“I thought ‘what am I doing? This is ridiculous’ and I ran in and I watched it then.
“I think it was because, when you’re released from the bubble, it’s like ‘oh man’, because you really don’t want to go.”
Swann can now relive the buzz of Strictly on the show’s live tour, beginning on January 18.