FORMER Strictly Come Dancing pro Pasha Kovalev paid tribute to his former dance partner Caroline Flack today.
The ballroom star appeared on today’s Lorraine where he spoke movingly about the late TV presenter, who tragically took her own life aged 40 in February.
Pasha won the Glitterball in 2014 with Caroline after they wowed viewers at the time with their lively Charleston, technical Argentine Tango and emotional show dance to Robbie Williams’ Angels.
Caroline was also the first celebrity to score a perfect 40 for all three of her final dances, which Pasha touched on when he told Lorraine that Caroline “put absolutely everything into the dancefloor”.
The 40-year-old, who is married to Rachel Riley, gushed: “I absolutely loved dancing with Caroline.
“We brought something to the show when we were competing.
“She absolutely deserved to win that year, she put absolutely everything in her heart on the dancefloor.”
For a special episode of the dance show due to air on Saturday, showrunners have produced a seven minute segment honouring Caroline’s time in the competition.
Paying tribute to the Love Island presenter, Judge Bruno Tonioli said: ”She was such fun and great to be with.”
“She really was a joy. We will always love Caroline and we will never forget her.”
Pasha also said of returning to the show this year: ‘We haven’t started yet, we will in a couple of days actually. It’s really, really exciting.
Caroline’s Strictly partner Pasha said his time with Caroline “will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly also paid tribute, with Tess saying that she “lit up the Strictly ballroom every single week.”
Strictly pro dancer Janette Manrara added: “The highlight was her showdance. You could feel she was lost in the moment. As a performer you can’t ask for more. It is a memory I hold close to my heart.
“I think overall she would have said her Strictly journey was magical. I’m so happy she was able to pick up that glitterball and win.”
Some of Caroline’s best dances are also to be shown in the programme, including her legendary showdance to a version of Angels sung by Beverley Knight.
Caroline sadly passed away on February 15th aged 40 after stepping down as the host of Love Island.
She died a day after she had learned that the CPS was pursuing charges that she allegedly attacked her boyfriend Lewis Burton, 27, with a lamp.
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