Strictly Come Dancing‘s Jayde Adams poked fun at the male pros after praising partner Karen Hauer’s “athletic” prowess.
During Friday’s dazzling launch show, it was confirmed that the 37-year-old comedian would be teaming up with Karen in this year’s landmark series.
When the news was announced, Jayde said: “Since watching the first series in 2004, I feel like every step I’ve taken in my career over the past 11 years has been on Strictly.
“I can’t begin to express the emotions I feel, this means so much to me and my family. I’ve always watched it, except for a brief hiatus in 2011 when I was relentlessly performing every weekend (trying to get through the Strictly).’
This is the first year for two celebrities to perform in a same-sex couple, with host Richie Anderson and Giovanni Pernice.
And Karen is quite happy to be sharing her Strictly journey with the ballroom and Latin pro.
Speaking about her dance partner, she told Metro.co.uk and other outlets, “I’m so excited to be with Karen.
‘I left it open {to the producers} I said I don’t mind. It does give me an advantage because I can lift her.’
She continued: ‘If I was with a man… the male pros aren’t exactly rugby players, are they.
“It means I can do the acrobatic stuff because I have upper body strength and Karen is so athletic and strong. I picked her up when we first met, and she wrapped her legs around me and it was like I was carrying a backpack.
“Our collaboration is going to be great.”
Karen, who has been a pro on the show since 2012, previously revealed that she would love to follow suit and dance with a woman if given the chance to return before 2022.
“It’s great that the show is now open to it. It is no longer taboo. It is wonderful to be able to show dance of the same sex. It’s normal now and it should be,” she said Daily star.
Acting wise, Jayde is best known for her hilarious role in the acclaimed BBC comedy Alma’s Not Normal and for her starring role in Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens.
Elsewhere, Jayde has had audiences chuckling on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Russell Brand’s Stand Up Hour for Comic Relief, Roast Battle and The Chris Ramsey Show.
Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday, September 24 at 6:45pm on BBC One.
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