Karen Hauer has offered her wholehearted backing for Josh Widdicombe's appointment as the new face of Strictly Come Dancing.
The former professional dancer, who spent 11 years on the BBC programme, expressed her enthusiasm for the change on Friday.
Ms Hauer partnered with the comedian for the 2024 Christmas Special, where the pair performed in penguin costumes.
"When they told us 'you're going to be dressed as penguins,' he was so onboard," she explained on ITV's Lorraine.
Karen Hauer broke her silence on the new Strictly judges
|ITV
The Venezuelan-American dancer believes Mr Widdicombe's firsthand experience as a contestant gives him unique insight into the role.
"He's awesome, he's going to be brilliant because he's been in the trenches, he knows how the person is going to feel," she said of her former dance partner.
Mr Widdicombe will take over from Claudia Winkleman after she and Tess Daly confirmed their departures in 2025.
He will present the show alongside Emma Willis, who takes Ms Daly's former role, and Johannes Radebe, the former professional dancer.
Josh Widdicombe and Karen Hauer on the Strictly Christmas Special in 2024
|BBC
The comedian's selection had been widely anticipated in the days before the official reveal, yet the announcement still surprised many viewers.
Some questioned whether Mr Widdicombe possessed sufficient presenting credentials for such a high-profile role.
Others welcomed the prospect of fresh energy being injected into the long-running programme.
Ms Hauer's praise for Mr Widdicombe came shortly after she acknowledged the demanding nature of the BBC competition.
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Johannes Radebe, Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe were confirmed as BBC Strictly's new presenters
| BBCSpeaking about her decade-long stint on the programme, she reflected on the personal development she experienced.
"I grew up a lot during Strictly. I learnt so much about teaching someone and giving them confidence," she told ITV viewers.
The professional dancer described the intense atmosphere that comes with guiding celebrity contestants through their routines.
"It's very pressurised," she explained. "When you're doing Strictly with someone who has never danced, you have to teach them how to move their body."
Karen Hauer was among the professional dancers dropped by BBC bosses | BBCMs Hauer was one of several professional dancers confirmed to be leaving Strictly this year as the programme undergoes a substantial overhaul.
Her exit was announced alongside those of Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas and Gorka Marquez.
The changes extend beyond the main show, with Janette Manrara also stepping away from spin-off programme It Takes Two.
Ms Manrara, 42, served as a professional dancer on the BBC series from 2013 to 2020 before co-hosting the companion show with Fleur East since 2021.
In a YouTube video, she explained her decision to move on after 14 years with the franchise.
"Strictly Come Dancing has now changed hugely. I'm no longer a part of It Takes Two or the main show," she said.
She added that leaving would allow her to explore opportunities she had previously never considered.