Faye Tozer has revealed her family was dealing with her mum's devastating breast cancer diagnosis at the same time she was competing in Strictly Come Dancing.
The former Steps singer, who finished as runner-up with Giovanni Pernice during last year's show, shared that her mum Dorothy was undergoing treatment for stage three cancer while she trained for the live shows with her Strictly partner.
Speaking to Hello Magazine, the 43-year-old said: 'While I was putting on sequins, Mum was putting on a cold cap. That kept everything in perspective. If I was having a bad day, I knew that Mum was going through so much more.'
Glam: Faye Tozer has revealed her family was dealing with her mum's devastating breast cancer diagnosis at the same time she was competing in Strictly Come Dancing
Faye, who lost out to the Glitterball trophy to Stacey Dooley and her dance partner Kevin Clifton, said that she chose to remain quiet about her mum's disease as she didn't want sympathy votes.
She said: 'It was Mum's journey, not mine. I didn’t want people to feel sorry for me or ask how I was because it wasn’t about me.
'I wanted to get on with the job, and Mum wanted that as well. She was so incredibly positive.'
Despite undergoing a gruelling treatment process, which involved a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Dorothy eagerly watched Faye's progress on the dance show and continued to cheer her daughter on towards the final.
Faye added: 'I'd always phone and say: ''Mum, how are we doing?'' She was still so supportive even though she was going through so much. I think we all just kept going, and it wasn't until afterwards that it really sunk in.'
Secret heartache: Faye's mum was undergoing treatment for stage three cancer while she trained for the live shows
Mother and daughter: The former Steps singer shared that her mum Dorothy (right) was undergoing treatment for stage three cancer while she trained for the live shows
More than a year on from the diagnosis, Dorothy has undergone most of her treatment and admitted she did not want the public to feel sorry for her.
'It’s nice to be able to say: ''This is what happened and we are out the other side''. I am so very proud of her,' Faye added.
Faye, who rose to fame at the age of 21 in the pop group Steps alongside Claire Richards, Lisa Scot-Lee, Ian Watkins and Lee Latchford-Evans, added that the BBC show had given her the platform to pursue her love of musical theatre.
Having a ball: Faye said that she chose to remain quiet about her mum's disease as she did not wish for any sympathy
On the dance floor: Earlier this year, Faye admitted that her time on the dance show had been the 'hardest thing' she had ever done
She added: 'Strictly has given me so many opportunities. I love that show; it was always the one I wanted to do. It was a life goal ticked.'
Read all about it: The new issue of HELLO! magazine is out now
Earlier this year, Faye admitted that her time on the dance show had been the 'hardest thing' she had ever done.
Speaking to ITV's Lorraine she said: 'It's been the hardest thing - physically and emotionally - that I've ever done!
'Giovanni said he saw the potential in me, and I wanted the biggest challenge.
'He made it more technically difficult for me, but it was amazing. There was loads of injury but you just need to get on with it.
'It reminded me of my first days in Steps, there was so much pressure! However, Strictly is the biggest show, so it comes with the territory! I don't read much about it though.'
Faye, who shares her ten-year-old son Benjamin with her husband Michael Smith, is currently starring as Miss Hedge in the West End show Everybody's Talking About Jamie.
The musical, which is currently showing at London's Apollo Theatre, also stars Layton Williams, Rebecca McKinnis and Bill Ward.
Read the full interview with Faye in the new issue of HELLO! magazine, out now.
Family: The singer shares her ten-year-old son Benjamin with her husband Michael Smith (pictured together in 2012)
Daily Mail UK
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