Travis Cloke joins Dancing With the Stars cast
Travis Cloke has opened on how leaving footy was just the thing he needed to do rediscover his love of footy and life — and why signing up to Dancing with the Stars was the perfect opportunity for him.
Entertainment
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Former AFL star Travis Cloke says he needed to take time out to rediscover his love of footy and life.
Cloke, who was part of the 2010 Magpies premiership side, retired in 2017 after a year with the Western Bulldogs when he also struggled with his mental health and anxiety.
“I had my first injury when I went to the Dogs and it made me realise there’s more to life than footy,’’ Cloke said.
“(My wife) Bec was pregnant and I went from being a pro footballer to a pro dad pretty quickly. Scarlett was born in November and I retired in October.
“I’m really enjoying being back at work without the pressure of playing on the weekend.
“That’s what realistically broke me. The week to week mindset of playing footy, it affected me away from the field as well.
“It did take me a while to get the love back.”
Cloke is now back coaching at Collingwood and is also a contestant on the new series of Dancing With the Stars, starting February 9 on Channel 10.
He joins a star line-up including Dami Im, Angie Kent, Beau Ryan, Claudia Karvan, Ed Kavalee, Chloe Lattanzi, Celia Pacquola, Christian Wilkins and Dean Wells.
“I have two left feet so it will be nerve racking dancing live,’’ he said.
“I thought how I want to perceived as Travis Cloke the person, and how I can be true to myself.
“Let’s be honest I’m not known for my agility but what an opportunity to put myself in someone else’s profession.”
Kent, the most recent Bachelorettewho has also appeared on Gogglebox and I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here, said this would be her last reality TV gig.
“I don’t think anybody wants to see me do any more reality TV, let’s face it,’’ she said.
“Last year I was on the beans, then champagne and now full throttle with dance. I’m a sucker for punishment, but it is very daunting for me to go back onto a show so soon after a hectic year.”
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Kent said her relationship with Sydney based Carlin Sterritt would be put to another test with the show filming in Melbourne.
“Carlin is super supportive of everything I do. We’re going to live separately for now but it would be nice to do normal couple stuff.
“I can 100 per cent confirm I’m happy. Not everyone is who you think they are on television but he’s the same, if not a thousand times more genuine and beautiful.”