Strictly Come Dancing star Luba Mushtuk has addressed speculation tensions are running high behind the scenes of the hit BBC show.
The Russian star, 33, has been on the programme since 2018 and danced with the likes of Shane Lynch, Jake Wood and Jay Blades in special spin-offs.
But while some claimthe pressure can be too much, Luba admits the dancers feel "privileged" to be on Strictly, while adding it's the "biggest and best" dance show in the world.
This year, the star believes the show is bigger and better than ever, leaving her "shocked" over the levels of talent.
Speaking to The Mirror, she said: "I love doing it, I love dancing and I love group numbers.
"We have incredible choreographers and to be able to work with those amazing choreographers and to share the stage with these incredible dancers, the best dancers in the world, I mean, it's a privilege so it's not stressful at all. It's a joy.
"We're professionals and it's amazing, we learn the choreography and it doesn't take us that long because we've done it for many years.
"It's beautiful, especially this season – we have such incredible group numbers, what we've done so far, every time I see it I get emotional, it's stunning."
Reflecting on this year's cohort, Luba added: "I've been on the show for a few years and they always surprise you.
"I never give any judgement, in the beginning, once you start working with them you go 'Wow, ok' – I think everybody has an incredible improvement and that's why I always say 'Everybody can dance'."
"I just love to see people doing something outside of their comfort zone and to see the journey from week one to now, it's like they're all becoming dancers," she gushed.
Despite Luba not having a celebrity partner this year, she revealed she is in constant contact with her previous partners as well as other celebs from the show.
Speaking of her relationship with Jason Bell, she said: "It was wonderful, I never laughed that much in my life, it was amazing.
"I wish we could've gone further, what we did was great, we're still great friends.
"We meet for dinners and chat on the phone – he's a friend for life."
Aside from dancing, Luba has started taking acting classes and has her sights set on breaking the industry with the hopes of appearing in a movie.
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