Sky Sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher has revealed that she chose to sign up for BBC reality show Strictly Come Dancing after a "difficult" year that included divorcing her husband Paul Sampson.

The 39-year-old, whose father is golfer Bernard Gallacher, split from Sampson last year after a 14-year relationship.

At the weekend, Gallacher was partnered with professional dancer Brendan Cole in the first show of the new 'Strictly' series.

"I have been approached to be in the show before, but didn't feel it was the right time to do it then, but it feels right now," the Daily Mail quotes Gallacher as saying.

"The thing that's changed is my last year. It's been a difficult period. I just thought, 'why not? What have I got to lose?' I am single and I want to have fun. I know it's cheesy but it's a journey."

Gallacher and Sampson, who is a former rugby player, are parents to sons Oscar, eight, and five-year-old Jude.