Stacey Dooley has shared her thoughts on getting a new partner for the Strictly Come Dancing tour.
The documentary maker is set to team up with Strictly veteran Aljaz Skorjanec, who joined the show in 2013 and partnered with Kate Silverton in this year’s series.
Stacey’s dance partner, professional Kevin Clifton, is having to miss the arena events due to his work on the musical Rock of Ages.
But Kevin is nevertheless confident he’s left Stacey in safe hands.
Read more: Strictly’s Kevin Clifton wows fans with new look
Speaking to RadioTimes.com about his former partner being paired up with another professional, Kevin explained: “Obviously I couldn’t do the tour because of my schedule.
“I’d have loved to have done it if I was free.”
Kevin said he believes he and Aljaz are “probably quite similar” in terms of their work style, because neither of them are “strict” and they “both prefer to have fun”.
He continued: “I would really hate it if Stacey was going to someone who was going to scream and shout at her and all that, I’d be really uncomfortable with that actually, but no, I don’t think Aljaz is like that, so she’s in good hands.”
Stacey’s place on the tour, alongside fellow contestants Joe Sugg and Dr Ranj Singh, was confirmed last week.
She mirrored Kevin’s comments by praising the skills of her new partner, calling the 28-year-old Slovenian “a dream”.
She said: “I’m sure we’ll have an amazing time. Kevin is my partner so he’ll always be the guy I’ve learnt everything with, but Aljaz has always been very lovely, we’ve been pally since we began.”
Read more: Strictly viewers jokingly warn Stacey Dooley over Kevin Clifton
Despite having never worked closely with Aljaz, Stacey said she is sure it “won’t be too stressful” because “he’s a good guy”.
Stacey is one of six celebrities still left in the running. Her place on the show was up in the air last month after she suffered an injury during training.
But the journalist bounced back quickly and told fans on Instagram: “Nothing’s broke! All the drugs and all the cuppas gonna hook us up! See you Sat!”
Last night she performed a stunning American Smooth to I Dreamed A Dream from Les Miserables and the judges awarded her 38 points.
Are you rooting for Stacey to win this year’s Strictly? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think.