Who is Punam Krishan? Meet Strictly Come Dancing 2024 contestant and doctor

"I have been a fan of the show for years," Punam said of why she decided to sign up for Strictly 2024. "It's something that my son and I have watched together and we always looked forward to. My job entails quite an intense week, with a lot of pressure."

She continued: "And you feel quite drained at the end of it, so to have something to look forward to that just has magic, sparkle, dance, dreaminess is exactly what I fantasise about when I watch it on the TV from my sofa.

"So, this year, to have the call to do it, I literally feel like I'm just about to jump from my sofa into a complete dream. And that's what made me say yes."

After scoring a 20 in Week 4, things got marginally Krishan and her partner, Gorka Marquez. Their Viennese Waltz to She’s Always A Woman To Me scored just 21 points. This put them near the bottom of the leaderboard, as the judges cited Krishan's purported lack of energy as a factor in their scores. Despite this, the pair managed to evade the bottom two and in turn, the dance off.

Will they turn it around this weekend? Or will their scores be the scariest thing about their dance? Read on to find out more about Strictly Come Dancing 2024 contestant Dr Punam Krishan, including what she's said so far about appearing on the 20th anniversary edition of the BBC series.

Who is Dr Punam Krishan?

Age: 41

Job: Doctor and broadcaster

Instagram: @drpunamkrishan

X: @DrPunamKrishan

Partner: Gorka Márquez

Punam Krishan is a doctor, best known for being the resident GP on BBC's Morning Live. As well as this, Punam has appeared on Laid Bare and The Weakest Link.

She is also a published author, having written How to Be a Doctor and Other Life-Saving Jobs in 2022.

In April 2024, Punam was commissioned to write a further to children's books titled You and Your Body and A Superhero's First Aid Manual.

Punam Krishan's Strictly journey so far

Scoreboard

Week 1: Cha Cha (4+5+5+5) = 19

Week 2: Foxtrot (4+5+4+5) = 18

Week 3: Couple's Choice (8+9+8+8) = 33

Week 4: Jive (4+5+5+6) = 20

Week 5: Viennese Waltz (4+6+5+6) = 21

What is Punam Krishan dancing to in Week 6 on Strictly?

This weekend, Punam and her dance partner Gorka will be dancing a Tango to Sweet Dreams by Eurythmics.

What has Dr Punam Krishan said about joining Strictly 2024?

Dr Krishan said in a statement: "This still doesn’t feel real, I am overjoyed to be a contestant on this year’s show.

"I have watched Strictly every year with my family, and it feels extra special that it’s the 20th year. I can’t believe I will be the one getting Strictly-fied now.

"This is so out of my comfort zone, but I’m up for the journey and will give it my absolute all."

In an interview with BBC Radio 2's Vernon Kay, she said: "As somebody who was raised on bhangra, doing ceilidhs, the odd bit of hip-hop back in the day... Waltz, cha cha cha and the rest of it is a whole new learning curve."

Dr Krishan went on to say she was most excited to try her hand at the paso doble.

"I just love the drama, I think it's so sexy, it's fiery, it's all of that that life serves up sometimes," she explained.

"I think it will be really challenging but it's the one that I look forward to watching the most every year."

The doctor also said she'd be seeking advice from fellow Morning Live presenters Helen Skelton, Sara Davies, Kimberley Walsh and Kym Marsh, who have all competed on Strictly Come Dancing in the past.

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday 26th October at 6:25pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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