Tyler West feels his 'Strictly Come Dancing' pro partner Dianne Buswell "brought out the best" in him on the show.
Tyler West feels his Strictly Come Dancing pro partner Dianne Buswell 'brought out the best' in him on the show
The 26-year-old radio presenter and the pro dancer were sent home from the competition last weekend, and the star admitted it was "surreal" dancing to millions on the BBC Latin and ballroom programme.
He said: "I'm just little old Tyler from some South London council estate, it's just surreal to then be dancing in front of millions of people.
"I used to be the shyest kid ever, she [Dianne] brought the best out me on that dance floor ... Di is what 'Strictly' is all about. She has the passion, she has the power, she has the drive, she has the creativity and she has the patience!"
Dianne, 33, admits she is "grateful" to have been partnered with Tyler on this year's series.
She said: "Tyler is just everything you want in a partner and more, I can't even explain how grateful I am to be given this opportunity to be able to give my best choreography, because he's just such a talent.
"And like I said in our leaving speech, your [Tyler’s] smile lights up a room and you always gave me everything and more. So thank you so much. You're an absolute legend."
Tyler and Dianne were dumped out of the competition after they lost the dance-off to Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu.
Dianne was "proud" of Tyler for "giving everything" after the pair landed in the bottom two.
Speaking in a joint interview on 'Strictly - It Takes Two', she added: "I mean it's never nice being in the bottom two but, you know, first and foremost I wanted Tyler to feel as confident and as good as possible so that he could go out there and smash the routine ... It's never the end when you're when you're announced in the bottom two, you still have a chance to dance and you still have a chance to prove that you're worthy of being in the competition and I'm just so proud of Tyler for going out there and just giving everything.
"I'm such a passionate dancer and really for me, it's all about leaving your heart on that floor and I can't ask for anymore because he absolutely did that and I'm so, so proud of him."
'Strictly - It Takes Two' continues every weeknight at 6:30pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer and 'Strictly Come Dancing' airs on Saturday and Sunday nights on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.