Nancy Xu has lauded her Strictly Christmas special partner Jamie Borthwick ahead of the one-off special on December 25 following her early exit from the main series.
Xu had been paired with former Family Fortunes host Les Dennis but the duo were the first couple booted off the show, freeing up Xu's diary to practice for the festive special.
Dennis, 70, and Xu, 32, put on a united front as they bid farewell to the competition but reports soon emerged following their exit of a backstage feud.
An insider told The Sun that Dennis was "often moody and erratic" over the "draining" training process and while the pair "never really fell out" there was "tension and discord in the studio".
The source added: "Les became frustrated at the slightest misstep and would lose his cool, while Nancy was very patient and encouraging which only rankled Les even more. They were just polar opposites.
"Les' temperament made it impossible for them to gel and it showed on the night. While Nancy was very disappointed not to progress to next week, Les was glad it was all over."
Les Dennis and Nancy Xu were eliminated from Strictly 2023 first
BBC
This Christmas, Xu will only have to perform for one show with Borthwick and judging by her remarks prior to the special, it's been a very enjoyable process.
While she didn't name-check Dennis directly, Xu praised Borthwick for making the rehearsal process a joy as she acknowledged it can prove "difficult" with certain celebrity partners.
Reflecting on the training for this year's Christmas special, Xu told the BBC: "I am loving it, so so so much!
"It’s really hard to meet somebody and to get to know them quite quickly, and then teaching them can be difficult, but I didn’t have that with Jamie.
"The first time we met each other, he made me laugh non-stop. He gives it his all and trusts me and tries everything.
"Jamie has even been sharing his musical taste with me, and I’ve been sharing different styles of dances as well and I think I can see the sparkle in his eyes!
"The time has gone so quick, but it’s been so lovely, because I have had the best time.
"I’m so glad I have him as my Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special partner."
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Nancy Xu and Jamie Borthwick perform in the Strictly Christmas special
BBC
Borthwick was similarly full of praise for Xu and the production as a whole as he weighed in: "It’s a great team, I have to say I am really enjoying being around all the people that work here.
"Everyone is fantastic, it’s such a nice crew, all the pros are wonderful and brilliant.
"Everyone is so lovely, so to just be around everyone its magic! I’m going to be sad when it’s all over."
Fans will have to tune in on Christmas Day to see if Borthwick and Xu have what it takes to win this year's festive special - although the results did leak online in the weeks prior to the big day.
