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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Vickie Scullard

Former Strictly Come Dancing pro Kristina Rihanoff tips Nicole Scherzinger for the judging spot

Kristina Rihanoff has thrown her support behind Nicole Scherzinger for the Strictly Come Dancing judging spot.

The former Strictly professional dancer was speaking on Good Morning Britain when she revealed who she was rooting for to take the place of Darcey Bussell, who announced her departure last week.

While she admitted she would love to take on the role herself, Kristina told presenters Richard Madeley and Kate Garraway that the Pussycat Doll would be a fitting replacement.

She said: "Of course I would love to be a judge. But I don’t see myself in that role yet. I love doing choreography and creative stuff.

Kristina Rihanoff on GMB (ITV)

"I think the panel needs another woman and someone from a different background to ballroom dancing, someone from street dancing or a commercial dancing background, who is also a professional dancer and perhaps a judge."

Kristina then went on to say that she would love to see “stunning” Nicole make the jump from ITV to BBC now that she is no longer an X Factor judge.

Kristina said: "She is a beautiful stunning lady who has professional training in street and commercial dancing. She would be a good judge. On X Factor she was wonderful."

Kristina Rihanoff on GMB (ITV)

Kristina also spoke about the dreaded Strictly ‘curse’ which seems to have struck again amid rumours that 2018 winner Stacey Dooley is dating pro Kevin Clifton.

The BBC Three journalist split from Sam Tucknott, her partner of five years, at Christmas, and rumours have been in overdrive.

Stacey Dooley hits back at Strictly 'romance' claims with professional dancer Kevin Clifton

Robbie Williams and Ayda Field quit X Factor and tease ‘big announcements'  

Stacey hit back yesterday saying there were "two sides to every story."

While the curse is blamed for breaking up relationships, it’s also responsible for some pretty solid pairings such as Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez, who are expecting their first baby.

Gemma Atkinson and fella Gorka Marquez (Dave nelson)

Kristina, who dated Strictly partner Joe Calzaghe and has a daughter with Ben Cohen, said: “That’s what’s difficult about this because there is always going to be someone hurt or someone feeling it’s wrong what’s happening, but people do meet at work and that’s where we work.

I think it’s about creating a very strong bond and trusting one another. The show is very intense… emotionally and physically.”

She continued: "At the end of the day you have a very big task in front of you and lots of pressure on your shoulders… people have to trust one another and I think that’s where it all starts."

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV from 6am.

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