'ABSOLUTELY brilliant' — that was the verdict following West Devon Olympian Heather Fell's experience of dancing on prime-time live TV last Saturday night.

Modern pentathlete Heather and fellow Olympic athletes performed a routine to Madonna's 'Vogue' on BBC1's 'Let's Dance for Sport Relief' — the first programme in a series culminating in a showdown dance final next month.

Heather, a silver medallist at the 2008 Olympics, said: 'I loved it, I had such a good time. I felt almost like Cinderella after it had finished. When I had to take the wig off, it was all a bit surreal — all I've got left now is the fake tan and nail varnish!'

Heather said she didn't find out she would be impersonating superstar Madonna until she arrived in London last Wednesday, a day after the other dancers in the team.

'I thought they were joking when they told me — then they produced these really tacky gold hotpants and said that's what I was going to wear — luckily that bit was a joke!'

Heather said she was more nervous for the dress rehearsal than the actual live TV performance.

'I nearly went flying right at the beginning on Saturday night, I almost went flat on my face and I'd never tripped up in rehearsals. It would have been devastating if I'd really gone over, but after that, I actually felt more relaxed and just went for it.

'It was our best performance and it was a real buzz, we all gave 100 per cent and we had a really lovely time. They are great guys, I've been incredibly lucky and made some lovely new friends.'

The Olympians failed to get through to next month's final — but anyone voting for Heather and the team will have raised precious funds for charity.

Meanwhile, it's back to the day job for Heather, who spoke to the Times from Gatwick Airport.

'I'm flying out for a training camp in Hungary until Friday, then I'm popping home and next Monday I'm flying to Mexico for the first World Cup event of the year, so I am back down to earth with a bump now!' she said.