Lithuanian Katya Virshills, who partnered Phil Tufnell in last years series, will be joined by world champion Latin dancer, Klaus Kongsdal, at the Spa Centre on July 12 with their Latin and ballroom fusion.

She said: "We are quite a new pairing. Klaus came to visit Strictly and I asked him to do some shows with me. It's been amazing, a very different experience.

"It's a full-on theatre scale production, it's not just learning one or two routines, but we are the headline act and the focus is on us so it's a lot of pressure.

"It's our job to remember the choreography. It's like getting behind the wheel of a car, once we get out there we aren't thinking about the steps, we are beyond that by that point, we are trying to give an experience that the audience wants to get.

"My favourite dance is probably the rhumba. It's the slowest dance that we do from Latin America, and it's so expressive and beautiful."

Strictly Come Dancing returns this summer and Katya can't wait to get back on the show, although she confesses keeping in shape to fit in the dresses is a challenge.

"Last year I was the new girl, and it was all very scary, but this year I know what to expect.

"Phil was a great guy, and he taught me lots about cricket! You spend so much time with one person it's important you can get a relaxed environment and have fun, and he is such a character.

"It's hard keeping in shape because I really love food and I don't really believe in dieting. I do yoga and running because we have to fit into all these amazing outfits, it's a challenge."

Klaus and Katya are not only a couple on the dance floor, but also off it, and she admits that it helps to have him there with all the travelling.

She added: "Me and Klaus joke about it, because every time we get to the airport we feel like we are home because we are there so much.

"We both love travelling, but it helps when you have someone to share it with."

And what does she love most about dance? "After a show receiving an email from a 12-year-old girl who has been inspired to start learning how to dance, or a couple who have been married for 40 years and are inspired to take up ballroom and it brings their spark back.

"The inspiration aspect is definitely what I love most, and just being able to dance for a living, it's amazing."

Strictly Come Dancing returns to our screens on Saturday evenings in the autumn and has been running since 2004. Each year millions switch on to watch celebrities pair up with professional dancers to learn different steps and routines.

Past winners of the show, which is now running in 30 different countries, have included popstar Alesha Dixon, cricketers Mark Ramprakash and Darren Gough, and actress Jill Halfpenny.

Other stars to have taken part include Matt Dawson, Colin Jackson, and Rachel Stevens, with judges Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Alesha Dixon all set to return for the next series.

Tickets for the show are £20 and are available online or by calling 334418.

www.royal-spa-centre.co.uk