Jacqui Smith has joked that Strictly Come Dancing star Anton du Beke made his move from a professional in the competition to a judge, because of her.
Anton, 54, was confirmed to be replacing judge Bruno Tonioli for the upcoming series.
The former Home Secretary was paired with Anton for the 2020 series of Strictly, where she was the first to be eliminated, and the series was eventually won by Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse.
Jacqui, 58, was speaking on Good Morning Britain with Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway on Friday.
Ben said: "Of course, Jacqui will forever be the last person who danced with Anton du Beke, you broke Anton du Beke so dramatically..."
Kate added: "Yes you will! He has finally got his seat on the judges chair even if only temporarily while Bruno is away."
Jacqui replied: "Listen, he did such a brilliant job last year, when he gets up on that judges table he is going to be utterly brilliant, everyone is going to love him and he will stay there forever.
"So you're right, Ben, I genuinely believe this is because he knew he couldn't top me as a dance partner! And that's why.
Kate laughed: "We all have to have a moment, to bow out with a boom!"
Anton will join head judge Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel-Horwood and Motsi Mabuse to deliver verdicts on the celebrity dancers.
Now appearing on The One Show on BBC One for Thursday’s show, Anton revealed what it was like to receive the good news.
“I can’t tell you how thrilled I am,” Anton told hosts Alex Jones and Ronan Keating.
He went on: “It’s so wonderful. I can’t tell you how it feels to be asked to do it. I love the show… as everybody knows … I absolutely love the show.”
The TV favourite recognised that he has first-hand knowledge of what is like to perform on the Strictly dance floor for the judges which he can bring to his new role.
He said he knows what is “going on in their heads and doing what they have been through”.
On his own experience, he said: “As a judge, I will take that into consideration and judge accordingly.”
When asked what kind of judge viewers can expect Anton to be he said: “I know that everyone is trying their best. I shall be kind but I shall want it to be great as all the judges do.”
He later added: “As I said I think I’m going to be a kinder judge. I shan’t be gushing about everybody.
“I’m expecting them to dance well, as they’d want to dance, but I shall be understanding and try to show a bit of positivity.”
* Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV at 6am
