Strictly Come Dancing legend issues blunt reminder after furious backlash

0Debbie McGee and Giovanni Pernice were runners up on Strictly Come Dancing 2017 (Image: Getty)EXCLUSVE: The show legend, who appeared on the programme twice, gave their thoughts on the new presenting line-up.Strictly Come Dancing legend Debbie McGee has shared her thoughts on the long-running show's new presenters. The trio of Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe have come in for scrutiny and criticism since taking the reins from Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly at the beginning of this season. However, speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, the 67-year-old star empathised with them, saying it would take them a while to bed in. "It will take at least maybe four or five episodes, maybe longer, and maybe a whole series until it all fits in," she pondered.

"I can remember when Claudia came in after Bruce [Forsythe] had died, and it took ages for her to be accepted and for that little corner to work.

"At first, it was 'oh well, we miss Bruce' and then it just became her own thing. And I'm sure that's what will happen.

"I don't think that there's any one person that's bigger than the show," she said.

"Although I loved Claudia and Tess and Bruce in the day, but you know the programme itself carries itself, doesn't it?" she said.

The star is well placed to comment on the show, having enjoyed two stints on it.

She has been reflecting on the past and her career, and Strictly, as she releases her memoir, A Magical Life, which details her extraordinary life.

Just over just over a year after her husband Paul Daniels' death, she was a runner-up on the main Saturday night show with her pro partner Giovanni Pernice in 2017.

She also returned for the festive special in 2019 which she won dancing a Quickstep to Jingle Bells paired with Kevin Clifton.

Despite her success, she insists she feels no pangs of jealousy watching the latest celebrities take to the dance floor this year.

"When I did it people would say to me, 'You're going to be so jealous watching it next year and seeing someone dancing with your partner,'" she laughs.

"No, I'm not. I just have the most fantastic memories of doing it, but I also know how hard it was.

"I'm quite happy to sit at home and watch it on the telly with a glass of wine or something.

"I don't think I could go on and do any better [if I did it again], so what would be the point? I did it, I had my time."

A Magical Life by Debbie McGee (Mirror Books, £22) is out now