Kristina Rihanoff has backed Nicole Scherzinger to replace Dame Darcey Bussell on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.
The 41-year-old star – who appeared as a pro on the BBC’s Latin and ballroom show from 2008 to 2015 – believes the former ‘X Factor’ judge’ or ‘La La Land’ choreographer Mandy Moore would be ideal for the vacant spot on the ‘Strictly’ panel, because she thinks the programme needs a change of direction.
Speaking on ITV’s ‘Good Morning Britain’, she said: "We all loved the ‘La La Land’ movie and the wonderful Mandy Moore, who was choreographer for that movie and she is a judge on ‘So You Think You Can Dance in America’.
"She is in America and she choreographed a lot of wonderful numbers on ‘Strictly’ with us pros. We all loved her. She would be great.
"Or Nicole Scherzinger, she is a beautiful stunning lady who has training in street and commercial dancing. She would be a good judge."
Kristina would "love" to take on the role herself at some point, but doesn’t feel ready to be in the hot seat just yet.
She added: "Of course I would love to be a judge. But I don’t see myself in that role yet … I think the panel needs another woman and someone from a different background to ballroom dancing, someone from street dancing or a commercial dancing background, who is also a professional dancer and perhaps a judge."
However, she believes bosses could go for an unknown dancer for the judging role because ‘Strictly’ "makes everybody a household name".
Reflecting on Darcey’s judging style, she added: "Darcey was … a classy lady and always so very kind and true to herself in her comments. She never said something to make a headline."
Darcey – who became a full-time judge on the show’s 10th series in 2012 – recently revealed she was stepping away from the panel, which she shared with head judge Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli.
The dancer enjoyed "every minute" of her time on the show and insisted she’s not leaving because of "of any upset or disagreement".
She said in a statement: "It has been a complete privilege for me to be part of ‘Strictly’, working with such a talented team.
"I have enjoyed every minute of my time and will miss everyone from my fellow judges, the presenters, the dancers, the musicians, the entire back stage team, and especially the viewers of the show, who have been so supportive.
"I am not leaving because of any upset or disagreement at all, I am just stepping away to give more focus to my many other commitments in dance, after seven truly wonderful years that I can’t imagine having gone any better."
Kristina Rihanoff backs Nicole Scherzinger for Strictly judge role
