After dazzling on Strictly Come Dancing with her partner Gorka Márquez and performing the show's first Bollywood dance in a nod to her South Asian roots - Dr Punam Krishan is reflecting on a life-changing journey.
With no formal dance experience, she fulfilled a dream and tells new how it has given her a whole new sense of self-belief saying, "I'm more open to saying yes." Away from the glitz and the glamour of Strictly, the GP is also the resident doctor on Morning Live, where she shares her wisdom about various causes she feels passionate about - from maternal mental health to carbon monoxide poisoning awareness.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583506613/1737436879/articles/4COSGEDCO1737456104896/2182387717.jpg]
Balancing a thriving career and motherhood-she has son Aanish, 11, and daughter Ellora, four, with her husband, Scottish Conservative politician Dr Sandesh Gulhane the 41-year-old talks growing up in an Indian family in Glasgow, hitting Britain's most famous dance floor and more...
Hi, Dr Punam! You were so inspiring on Strictly. Had you danced before?
No, just at parties. I'm a right party animal.
I'm always first on the dance floor, but I'd had no formal training at all. So to be doing that with an actual pro dancer like Gorka was pretty special. Strictly has given me more confidence and self-belief - I'm more open to just saying yes and taking on new challenges, stepping out of my comfort zone. It's hands down the scariest, and best, thing I have ever done.
Did you make any firm friendships?
Yes. It's what we were all saying at the end. With shows like this, you imagine that you won't get on with everybody, but we're all genuinely friends. It was just a fantastic squad of people.
Would you do any other reality show?
I haven't even thought about that. I definitely couldn't do I'm A Celeb because if there's even a spider in the house, I am literally the woman that's screaming and running out of the house my children have to remove the spider. So I'm definitely not going to meet the criteria for that show.
What's it like being a part of BBC One's Morning Live?
The show really aligns with my values. It's about serving the public, and what we're always trying to do is to support them in an era where there's a lot of people that are struggling, dealing with adversity. There's a cost of living crisis, there's misinformation out there- and Morning Live brings a whole team of experts to help.
You're also a busy mum. How do you find juggling it all?
The thing that helps me is, I really enjoy all my work, it keeps me excited. I'm not Superwoman, it is exhausting and I couldn't do all this on my own. I've got an incredible husband, I've got great family support.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583506613/1737436879/articles/4COSGEDCO1737456104896/4244112878.jpg]
When I first had my child, I remember people saying it takes a village to raise a child, and it absolutely does.
Your other half is a politician and a doctor as well, isn't he?
Yes. The only thing I can say is that we're both very driven. We're both doing our best in every way we can to serve and to be helpful.
You grew up in Glasgow to an Indian family. What was that like?
My mum and dad came over from India in the late 70s and my sister and I were born and brought up in Glasgow. Back then, it was quite difficult because my parents were so worried...
With no formal dance experience, she fulfilled a dream and tells new how it has given her a whole new sense of self-belief saying, "I'm more open to saying yes." Away from the glitz and the glamour of Strictly, the GP is also the resident doctor on Morning Live, where she shares her wisdom about various causes she feels passionate about - from maternal mental health to carbon monoxide poisoning awareness.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583506613/1737436879/articles/4COSGEDCO1737456104896/2182387717.jpg]
Balancing a thriving career and motherhood-she has son Aanish, 11, and daughter Ellora, four, with her husband, Scottish Conservative politician Dr Sandesh Gulhane the 41-year-old talks growing up in an Indian family in Glasgow, hitting Britain's most famous dance floor and more...
Hi, Dr Punam! You were so inspiring on Strictly. Had you danced before?
No, just at parties. I'm a right party animal.
I'm always first on the dance floor, but I'd had no formal training at all. So to be doing that with an actual pro dancer like Gorka was pretty special. Strictly has given me more confidence and self-belief - I'm more open to just saying yes and taking on new challenges, stepping out of my comfort zone. It's hands down the scariest, and best, thing I have ever done.
Did you make any firm friendships?
Yes. It's what we were all saying at the end. With shows like this, you imagine that you won't get on with everybody, but we're all genuinely friends. It was just a fantastic squad of people.
Would you do any other reality show?
I haven't even thought about that. I definitely couldn't do I'm A Celeb because if there's even a spider in the house, I am literally the woman that's screaming and running out of the house my children have to remove the spider. So I'm definitely not going to meet the criteria for that show.
What's it like being a part of BBC One's Morning Live?
The show really aligns with my values. It's about serving the public, and what we're always trying to do is to support them in an era where there's a lot of people that are struggling, dealing with adversity. There's a cost of living crisis, there's misinformation out there- and Morning Live brings a whole team of experts to help.
You're also a busy mum. How do you find juggling it all?
The thing that helps me is, I really enjoy all my work, it keeps me excited. I'm not Superwoman, it is exhausting and I couldn't do all this on my own. I've got an incredible husband, I've got great family support.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583506613/1737436879/articles/4COSGEDCO1737456104896/4244112878.jpg]
When I first had my child, I remember people saying it takes a village to raise a child, and it absolutely does.
Your other half is a politician and a doctor as well, isn't he?
Yes. The only thing I can say is that we're both very driven. We're both doing our best in every way we can to serve and to be helpful.
You grew up in Glasgow to an Indian family. What was that like?
My mum and dad came over from India in the late 70s and my sister and I were born and brought up in Glasgow. Back then, it was quite difficult because my parents were so worried...
You're reading a preview of
New UK (Digital) - 1 Issue, January 27, 2025