’s Jayde Adams poked fun at the male pros after she praised partner Karen Hauer’s ‘athletic’ strength.
During Friday’s dazzling launch show, it was confirmed that the 37-year-old comedian would be partnered with Karen in this year’s milestone series.
Upon the news being announced, Jayde said: ‘Since I watched the first series in 2004, I feel like every step I’ve taken in my career over the last 11 years was to be on Strictly.Â
‘I cannot begin to express the emotions I am feeling, this means so much to me and my family. I’ve always watched it, apart from a brief hiatus in 2011 as I was relentlessly gigging every weekend (to try and get on Strictly).’
This is the first year where two celebrities are performing in a same-sex pairing, with presenter Richie Anderson partnered with Giovanni Pernice.
And Karen is pretty glad that she’ll be sharing her Strictly journey alongside the ballroom and Latin pro.
Speaking about her dance partner, she told Metro.co.uk and other outlets: ‘I’m so thrilled to be with Karen.
‘I left it open {to the producers} I said I really don’t mind. It does give me an advantage because I can lift her.’
She continued: ‘If I was with a guy… the male pros aren’t exactly rugby players are they.
‘It means I get to do the acrobatic stuff because I’ve got the 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 carrying a bag pack.
‘Our partnership is going to be amazing.’
Karen, who has been a pro on the show since 2012, previously revealed that she was keen to follow suit and dance with a woman if she gets the chance to return for 2022.Â
‘It’s a beautiful thing that the show is opening up to it now. It’s not taboo anymore. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to show same-sex dancing. It’s normal now and that’s the way it should be,’ she told  .
On the acting front, Jayde is best-known for her hilarious role in celebrated BBC comedy Alma’s Not Normal and for starring in Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens.
Elsewhere, Jayde has made audiences chuckle 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.
