Strictly Come Dancing professional Graziano di Prima has lauded his partner for the festive special, Sally Nugent, ahead of the Christmas Day spectacular.
While he danced with Zara McDermott in this year's main series, their early exit from the contest meant he had plenty of time to prepare Nugent for the festive one-off.
BBC Breakfast's Nugent will be hoping to impress the likes of Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton du Bele in the one-off episode but she faces stiff competition.
Jamie Borthwick, Dan Snow, Keisha Buchanan, Tillie Amartey and Danny Cipriani will also be vying for the festive Glitterball.
As ever, the best way to challenge for the top spot comes from working hard in the rehearsal room, something both di Prima and Nugent have opened up about prior to Christmas Day's show.
"It’s been a treat," Nugent said ahead of Christmas Day's show. "I mean what treat, to learn to Foxtrot at Christmas with Graziano! It’s a Christmas present to myself."
Sally Nugent and Graziano di Prima are taking on the Foxtrot
BBC
Di Prima also told the Beeb about the occurrence of a Strictly first that dancing with Nugent has presented.
"You’ve been incredible," he said. "For the first time in my job, I’ve found a person who has made me realise how lucky I am to do this job and be dancing.
"It's more than just the dance, it’s the friendship first and it’s been something that audiences can just enjoy, and the dance and the beauty of Christmas."
Nugent went on to admit "it’s not something I ever imagined I would do" due to the fact she was "always far too scared and too shy".
She added: "That moment when we walk out, yes it’s scary but even just standing out there, even before we dance a step it’s a win."
Di Prima continued to laud his partner: "I love how she sections the dance, how she thinks through the dance, so we’ve found the best way to make the dance easy to learn for her.
"But I did say, no more thinking and just enjoy it," he continued before Nugent concurred: "No more thinking is the best advice, because my life and my job is all about thinking."
Fans will have to tune in on Christmas Day to find out if Nugent has what it takes to win the festive special - although some were left disgruntled to see the results had leaked online weeks before the episode.
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Sally Nugent and Graziano di Prima are taking part in the Christmas special
BBC
This year's main series was won by an emotional Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola.
The pair saw off Layton Williams and Bobby Brazier in the finale despite finishing bottom of the judges' leaderboard on the night.
