Strictly's Matt Goss on how rare health condition impacts being on the show
Strictly Come Dancing's Matt Goss has discussed living with Poland syndrome, which affects the body's musculature.
Partnered with professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova this series, the pop star spoke to The Daily Mail about his condition, which previously bothered him before feeling inspired by judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel-Horwood and Motsi Mabuse.
"My posture has improved since being on Strictly," he began. "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."
Hailing the show's costume department in particular, who've needed to accommodate Goss's affected frame in their designs, he went on: "It has been one of my favourite things about the Strictly experience.
"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."
Goss, who loves sending voice notes to his ballroom rivals, also explained: "If I get a jacket made it will pull on the right side more. 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."
Related: Strictly's Will Mellor shares health update after dropping out of training session
Such is his new body confidence, Goss now plans to retake a load of famous photos from his time in the band Bros.
"Nobody will have ever noticed but I often used to pose covering that side of my chest. After Strictly I plan to reshoot those pictures and show my chest," he revealed.
"Those original pictures tell a story – I was self-conscious then."
Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturdays and Sundays on BBC One, while spin-off show Strictly: It Takes Two airs on weeknights on BBC Two. Both shows also stream on BBC iPlayer.
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