Stevens reveals 'Strictly' frustration

Strictly Come Dancing runner-up Rachel Stevens has criticised the show's judges for labelling her "shy".

The former S Club singer admitted that she became annoyed when the panellists commented on her personality following her weekly performances.

Speaking to The Sun, Stevens insisted: "I'm not a shy person, I can't tell you how frustrating that was when the judges kept saying 'she's shy, she's shy'. It was so hard to stand there every week and be told I had no personality.

"I'm not in your face at all and I'm not a loud person, I admit, but I hate labelling people."

The ex-popstar added that she was finally able to show her true personality on the BBC One ballroom show after being carefully guided by record label chiefs when she was releasing music.

"With Strictly, my biggest challenge was to let go and lose control and the show gave me the opportunity to do that," she explained. "I hope people saw the real Rachel. I was really myself on the show."

Stevens lost out to actor Tom Chambers in the show's final on Saturday night.