Strictly Come Dancing champion Karen Carney has spoken about the new series and thrown her support behind Carlos Gu and his new dance partner Jaime Winstone.
Karen and Carlos won the glitterball trophy last year. Now 15 celebrities are hoping to match her success in the current run of the BBC competition, which has returned with new presenters Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe taking over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Karen's backing for Jaime
After watching Jaime and Carlos perform, Karen said in an exclusive interview: "I'm a team Carlos fan, there's no jealousy or envy or bitterness or anything like that, I'm there to support him."
She added: "We've got a joint tattoo, I feel like I'm stuck with him for life! I was texting him this morning, he was making me laugh, he's a great guy."
"I'm obviously invested in him and that means I'll be invested in Jaime and her journey, so yeah, looking forward to seeing more of them and what they've got next!"
Return to the dance floor
Karen returned to Strictly to perform her winning jive one final time alongside Carlos during the launch show. Reflecting on that performance, she said: "I'd say it was more nerve-wracking than any of the dances I'd done in the actual series. It was bizarre. I think because I'd not really done much practicing, I'd not danced for nine months."
She added: "It was a little bit daunting but it was great, I loved the people of Strictly, they're the favourite part of my whole experience so to go back and see them was pretty cute."
Jaime was confirmed as part of Strictly earlier this year, saying at the time: "I am so excited to announce that I will be joining the Strictly Come Dancing cast this year."
Ray Winstone's reaction
Karen is not the only celebrity to back Jaime, as her father Ray Winstone also spoke about her participation on The One Show earlier this year. He admitted: "I don't know who is more nervous, her or me? It's kind of new, she can dance anyway, but when you have to learn to dance with other people in routines, that's what she's worried about. But the great thing is, she'll be as fit as a butcher's dog."
Referring to Danny Dyer's daughter Dani, who has returned to Strictly after a forced withdrawal due to injury last year, Ray added: "Two good kids, I hope she does well, I hope they both do well."
The first celebrity will face elimination tonight, Sunday, September 4. Strictly Come Dancing continues on Sunday at 7.10pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
