Pam Corkery: I punished myself more than the DWTS judges could

Pam Corkery and Matt Tatton-Brown in action during Dancing With the Stars.

She was a wildcard entrant to Dancing With the Stars - but Pam Corkery says she loved being pushed out of her comfort zone.

The ex politician and her dance partner Matt Tatton Brown were eliminated from the TV3 show on Monday night after scoring just 17 points in the fourth round.

After her elimination, she joked that she could call herself "a woman" after lasting so long on the show. "I had a terrific experience," she said.

In an exit interview with the NZ Herald, Corkery said frequent criticism from the show's judging panel didn't sting because "I punished myself for poor performance more than they could".

Read our interview with Pam Corkery below:

NZ Herald: Were you expecting to go home this week? If not who did you think would?

Pam Corkery: I had a funny feeling I would go but didn't let it bother me. It became such a team effort that wasn't just about me. So I tried really hard to do justice by my pro-dancer, Matt.

What's been the hardest part about this experience?

Sticking at the unrelenting training schedule. I've never persevered with athletic endeavour and thought it was a mug's game. I see the satisfaction now but it didn't make teetering around on heels any easier.

Of all the judges' comments, was there anything that really stung? Why?

Nah. The comments were irrelevant. I was working to the best of my ability and punished myself for poor performance more than they could.

What was your favourite thing about being on the show?

The dancing and subsequent expansion of my comfort zone. And viewers seem to love the show. It's a fun watch, and doesn't involve carpentry.

And least favourite?

Whatever I said would be a luxury grizzle. I was introduced to a new skill, was part of an ensemble of beautifully eccentric people, and got to wear false eyelashes for the
first time.

Give us some behind-the-scenes goss - what do people at home not know about the other contestants?

If the other contestants wanted to reveal more, they have endless opportunities to do so as they are filmed around the clock. Viewers are getting a fairly intimate look at these peeps.

- nzherald.co.nz