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 host, who toured the world with his best friend Si King for a series of popular cooking shows, died aged 66 on February 28 after a battle with cancer.
When asked about her favorite celebrity dance partners on Tuesday’s edition of Good Morning Britain, she said: I love them all, but one who is very close to my heart is Dave Myers, who I absolutely adored.
‘He was just everything, he was a bundle of joy. Thanks to him I started to enjoy Strictly and made sure to be myself at all times and not take 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 a long-lasting impact after his week seven exit during the eleventh series of the BBC’s long-running staple show.
Hauer appeared on the show with fellow Strictly professional Gorka Marquez as they promoted their current SPEAKEASY UK tour.
And they admitted returning to the BBC show will be bittersweet following the departure of their close friend Giovanni Pernice.
“I think it’s like when (professional dancer) Aljaž (Škorjanec) leaves or when Anton (Du Beke) decides to take on the role of judge,” Gorka said.
‘Everyone is a big part of the show. “When someone decides to leave or change careers, it’s sad for everyone.”
The Strictly Come Dancing cast have reportedly been banned from speaking about Giovanni Pernice’s ‘harassment row’.
Bosses are said to be worried the show’s family reputation is tainted and want to do everything they can to stop people speaking out.
The BBC launched an investigation after Giovanni, 33, was accused of “bullying behaviour” while working with celebrity contestants on the dance show including Amanda Abbingdon, Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore.
The show celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, and executives hope the focus will be on that, rather than the Pernice saga.
The host, who toured the world with his best friend Si King for a series of popular cooking shows, died aged 66 on February 28 after a battle with cancer.
Hauer appeared on the show with fellow Strictly professional Gorka Marquez as they promoted their current SPEAKEASY UK tour.
The executives’ crackdown comes after head judge Shirley Ballas defended the professional dancer when he appeared on ITV’s Lorraine calling him a “perfect gentleman”.
A source said Sun: ‘We’re just weeks away from the 2024 cast reveal and bosses are worried the scandal is dangerously close to overshadowing the new series.
“A lot of work has been done because it is the twentieth anniversary and now, still, the only thing that is talked about is Giovanni.
‘The fact that Shirley launched such a passionate defense against him was far from helpful and fanned the flames. Bosses hope gagging the cast will help.
They added that all professionals have been trained to handle doubts and avoid difficult topics.
The cast of Strictly Come Dancing have reportedly been banned from speaking out about Giovanni Pernice’s harassment row.
The BBC launched an investigation after Giovanni was accused of “threatening and abusive behaviour” while working with Strictly contestants including Amanda Abbingdon (pictured).