Schapelle Corby confirmed for 2021 Dancing With The Stars cast

Hugging has been the hardest part for Schapelle Corby in preparing for her latest reality TV role.

Hugging has been the hardest part for Schapelle Corby in preparing for her latest reality television role.

Corby will compete as a wildcard entrant on the latest series of Dancing With The Stars after Australians got a taste of the 43-year-old on hit show SAS Australia.

Schapelle Corby with her dance partner Shae Mountain rehearsing for Dancing with the Stars. Picture: Liam Kidston

“I’m not a big hugger and I didn’t realise how much body contact I would have to do,” Corby told The Daily Telegraph.

“It is something I’m not used to and through my time in rehearsals this is something my dance partner and I are working on.”

The convicted drug smuggler has been hard at work training in Brisbane with professional dance partner Shae Mountain ahead of production kicking off in Sydney over the coming weeks.

Schapelle Corby in rehearsals.

Schapelle Corby in rehearsals. Picture: Liam Kidston

Corby spent a decade in notorious Kerobokan prison before being released on parole following her 2005 arrest for the importation of 4.2kg of cannabis into Bali.

She is not a dancer, nor has she ever seen an episode of Dancing With The Stars, which returns to Channel 7, and will see her compete against the likes of All Star contestants Ada Nicodemou, Fifi Box, Erin McNaught and Tom Williams.

“I did Tiny Tots (music and dance class) until the age of 10 or so — tap dance, modern, jazz, classical and highland — I think that was the last time I danced,” she said.

“I am nervous I’m going to freeze up, go blank and forget all my dance steps.’’

“I’m looking forward to the energy of the audience but my plan is to focus on the dance and trust in my partner Shae.”