Strictly Come Dancing professional Karen Hauer says Dave Myers helped her ‘fall back in love’ with the show after she was paired with the Hairy Bikers star in 2013.
The presenter, who toured the world with best friend Si King for a series of popular cookery shows, passed away aged 66 on February 28 following a battle with cancer.
Asked about her favourite celebrity dance partners on Tuesday’s edition of Good Morning Britain, she said: I love them all but one that is very close to my heart is Dave Myers, who I absolutely adored.
‘He was just everything, he was a bundle of joy. Because of him I started to enjoy Strictly and made sure I was being myself at all times and not taking myself too seriously.’
Strictly Come Dancing professional Karen Hauer says Dave Myers helped her ‘fall back in love’ with the show after she was paired with the Hairy Bikers star in 2013
Hauer admits his zest for life had an impact that lasted long after their week seven exit during the eleventh series of the long-running BBC staple
Hauer was appearing on the show with fellow Strictly professional Gorka Marquez as they promoted their current SPEAKEASY tour of the United Kingdom.
And they admitted returning to the BBC show will be bittersweet following the departure of close friend Giovanni Pernice.
‘I think is like when [professional dancer] Aljaž [Škorjanec] leaves or when Anton [Du Beke] decides go to take the judging role,’ said Gorka.
‘Everybody is a big part of the show. When someone decides to leave or change their careers it’s sad for everybody.’
The Strictly Come Dancing cast have reportedly been banned from discussing the Giovanni Pernice ‘bullying row’.
Bosses are said to be worried the family-friendly reputation of the show is tainted and want to do everything they can to stop people from talking.
The BBC launched an investigation after Giovanni, 33, was accused of ‘bullying behaviour’ while working with celebrity contestants on the dancing show, including Amanda Abbingdon, Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore.
The show celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and executives are hoping the focus can be on that, rather than Pernice saga.
The presenter, who toured the world with best friend Si King for a series of popular cookery shows, passed away aged 66 on February 28 following a battle with cancer
Hauer was appearing on the show with fellow Strictly professional Gorka Marquez as they promoted their current SPEAKEASY tour of the United Kingdom
The crackdown from executives comes after head judge Shirley Ballas defended the professional dancer when she appeared on ITV’s Lorraine calling him a ‘perfect gentleman‘.
A source told The Sun: ‘We’re just a few weeks away from the 2024 cast reveal and bosses are worried the scandal is now dangerously close to overshadowing the new series.
‘A lot of work has gone into it as it’s the 20th anniversary, and now – still – all anyone talks about is Giovanni.
‘Shirley launching such a passionate defence of him was far from helpful and stoked the flames. Bosses hope gagging the cast will help.’
They added that all professionals have been trained on how to handle questions and sidestep difficult topics.
The Strictly Come Dancing cast have reportedly been banned from discussing the Giovanni Pernice bullying row
The BBC launched as probe after Giovanni was accused of ‘threatening and abusive behaviour’ while working with contestants on Strictly, including Amanda Abbingdon (pictured)