Daniel O'Donnel's Strictly Come Dancing partner Kristina Rihanoff has says his wife Majella O'Donnell is her "personal hero".
Speaking on The Ray D'Arcy Show on Radio 1 today (September 9), Rihanoff said that she admired Majella's charity work for breast cancer as her mother is suffering from the disease.
She told Ray: "Majella is in my eyes a personal hero because I know what she went through and my mother actually has been going through the same problem as well with breast cancer. Obviously Daniel told me what she's done for the charity, I think it's incredible. She's definitely in my eyes a woman to admire"
Rihanoff said that their second day of rehearsals for Strictly have been going really well, adding that Daniel is a pleasure to work with as he's "such a lovely person and so dedicated."
The professional dancer said: "I really hope we do everyone proud because we're working hard. He is a beginner and we have lots of hours of rehearsals this week and next week but I'm really happy with how it's going because he's very dedicated and that's what I think it takes to do well on the show."
When pressed about what their debut dance will be, she remained tight-lipped, saying "It's something you've never seen before!"
On his first day of their Strictly training, O'Donnell found the time to show Rihanoff some moves for Irish jigs and reels.
Writing on Twitter, Rihanoff described her first day teaching the singer as "wonderful".
"And he taught me a bit of Irish dancing," she added. "I am terrible at it."
Viewers can find out how O'Donnell and Rihanoff's training has progressed, and see if they've incorporated any Irish steps into their routine, when the show returns to BBC One on Friday September 25 and Saturday September 26.
Wonderful first day of rehearsals with #DanielO'Donnell !!! And he thought me a bit of Irish dancing ! Lol I am terrible at it 😊💃💃💃
— Kristina Rihanoff (@KRihanoff) September 8, 2015
O'Donnell and Rihanoff are one of 15 couples on this year's show. TV chef Ainsley Harriott has been paired with Natalie Lowe, sports commentator and presenter Iwan Thomas has been paired with Ola Jordan, The Wanted singer Jay McGuiness will dance with Aliona Vilani, and BBC presenter Jeremy Vine will work with Karen Clifton.
Actress Helen George has been paired with Aljaz Skorjanec, and singer Jamelia has been paired with Wicklow man Tristan MacManus. Ex-Coronation Street star Georgia May Foote will dance with Giovanni Pernice, and Sky Sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher will dance with Brendan Cole. Olympic boxer Anthony Agogo has been paired with Oti Mabuse, while singer Peter Andre has been paired with Janette Manrana.
BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood has been paired with Pasha Kovalev, TV presenter Anita Rani will partner Gleb Savchenko, actress Kellie Bright has been partnered with Kevin Clifton, and BBC presenter Katie Derham will dance with Anton Du Beke.
