It won’t be long until Strictly Come Dancing fans will meet 15 brand new celebrities ready to battle it out on the dance floor.
After the announcement ballet legend Darcey Bussell would be stepping down, speculation was rife over who would replace her.
But fans didn’t have too long to wait as Motsi Mabuse was confirmed to be taking her place when the show returns in Autumn.
Ahead of the news, former champion Ore, who lifted the Glitterball Trophy in the 2016 series with Joanne Clifton, spoke of the challenges Darcey’s replacement would face.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Ore said: “I think whoever they choose is someone who has that wealth of knowledge. These pros know what they’re talking about.”
The star continued, explaining the difficulty the next judge will have in judging the dance experts.
Ore said: “You see them getting judged, it’s a very difficult world if you’re laying judgment on people who know more than you.
“But all the pros respect each other, any of the pros that you watch on the show, they have the respect of each other which is the foundation of the show and as soon as that gets compromised things become a problem so yeah the dance background is huge.
“These are really high stakes and it’s because of that that when they comment the couples are blown away. I’m sure they will make the right call whoever they choose.”
The father-of-one had also suggested Joanne could be the one to replace Darcey on the judging panel.
READ MORE: Former contestant reveals why they WON’T watch new series
He explained: “Oh absolutely! Of course she could, anyone with that kind of experience!
“We’re talking about a ballroom world champion here as so many of them in the group are, they’re the best in the world at what they do.”
The comments come after the star revealed he won’t be watching the new series – but not because he does’t want to.
The One Show presenter said: “It actually might be difficult this year, for the first time in 15 years I am devastated as I will not be able to watch Strictly live because I’m in a musical with Jason Manford and Carly Stenson.
“I’ll be performing the musical from October so we’re on the road and we’re performing on Saturday nights, so I’m gonna have to catch up.
“I won’t be able to share in the live drama with the nation as I have done for every series before so that’s quite a big change.”
However, the star revealed he still has time for the pro he would like to see judge Strictly Come dancing 2019, after she recently watched him perform in Leeds.
Ore said: “She came up to see me and it just brought back all the memories, her parents came along and it’s just really hard not to look back at such a life changing period of time.”
Fans now don’t have too much longer to wait until this year’s line-up is announced.
Strictly Come Dancing 2019 will return to BBC One later this year.
