Strictly Come Dancing legend only started to ‘enjoy’ BBC show after one celebrity partner-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro

Strictly Come Dancing legend Karen Hauer has reminisced about her experience being partnered with the late Dave Myers in a moving tribute.

The Venezuelan-American dancer, 42, said the Hairy Bikers star made her ‘enjoy’ the BBC show for the first time. They were paired together in 2013 and came in tenth place.

Karen recalled Myers helped her ‘not take herself too seriously’ as she remembered her former partner months after his death from cancer aged 66.

The professional dancer spoke about Myers after she was asked by Susanna Reid on today’s Good Morning Britain to name her favourite celebrity partner.

Karen responded: ‘I love all of them but one that is very close to my heart is Dave Myers, the Hairy Biker, who I absolutely adored.

‘He was just everything. He was a bundle of joy. Actually, because of him, I started to enjoy Strictly.

Karen was partnered with Myers during Strictly Come Dancing in 2013 (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)

Karen said Myers was her favourite celebrity dance partner (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)

‘He made sure I was myself at all times and not taking myself too seriously and [showed me] that you can entertain and be fun.’

Karen continued: ‘He absolutely adored [Strictly]. He just wanted to entertain and that’s what it was about. It wasn’t about the perfection – it was about how he made people feel.’

On Strictly, Myers and Karen performed dances including the Cha-Cha-Cha, the American Smooth, and the Tango.

They were the sixth couple to be eliminated with Abbey Clancy and Aljaž Škorjanec winning the competition. GMB’s Susanna was runner-up with dance partner Kevin Clifton.

Karen said Myers taught her to have fun on the BBC show (Picture: Ken McKay/Shutterstock)

Karen recalled her time with Myers on Good Morning Britain (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

Earlier this month, around 20,000 people paid their respects to Myers on Dave Day.

The event was organised in his hometown of Barrow-in-Furness on Saturday to celebrate his life.

The tributary day included a motorcycle procession from London to Barrow-in-Furness, a music concert and a service of remembrance

Speaking on the day, his Hairy Biker co-star and best friend Si King said: ‘You never know how these things are going to impact you, you know, it is a celebration of Dave’s life.

Myers was best known for being a Hairy Biker along with Si (Picture: BBC/Twofour)

Myers died in February after a battle with cancer (Picture: Eamonn McCormack/WireImage)

‘That’s why we’re here because he was so irritatingly positive all of the time. And we love him and that’s why we’re here.’

Dave Day came after fans shared their love for Si when he shared a photo of him sipping on a bespoke a Hairy Bikers’ beer by an empty chair and extra bottle on social media.

‘‘I notice you have a beer for Dave too. Heart-wrenching and heartwarming simultaneously,’ wrote Donna on social media.

‘The man is still by your side. always and forever. We all miss him Si. Can’t imagine how you feel xx,’ added account Hoof Antiques.

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Entertainment – MetroRead More