Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Johannes Radebe has said his new hosting role on the show has been a “learning curve”.
The 39-year-old is one of the new presenters on the BBC One dancing programme along with comedian Josh Widdicombe, 43, and broadcaster Emma Willis, 50.
The trio will make their Strictly debut as the new series launches on Saturday after they took over from long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman who stepped down last year.
Speaking about the new job on BBC Radio 2, Radebe told presenter Sara Cox: “It’s been a learning curve, honestly. But it’s lovely because Josh and Emma has been real support to me, and I couldn’t have done this without them.
“So in that regard, I’m very, very grateful, and I am finding my feet.”
When asked if he will be getting any sleep on Friday evening, he said: “Absolutely not.
“I mean, it’s exciting. It really is.
“As much as we are nervous, and I speak for the three of us when I say that I think it’s excitement all around, we couldn’t wait for Strictly to hit our tellys, and it’s happening tomorrow.”
Cox, who auditioned for the role, praised Radebe for being “very good from the very beginning” adding that the two had tested together.
Former Love Island winner Dani Dyer-Bowen is among the celebrities who will take part in the new series after she was forced to drop out of the show last year, just before the live shows, thanks to an ankle fracture.
Radebe said: “I just said we should protect her at all costs. She just needs to make it to week one, episode one.”
Willis said the presenters will all be rotating to find out “where we feel comfortable”.
She added: “We filmed the launch show last week so it feels like a very, very long week.
“And now we’re teetering on the edge of the abyss.”
The celebrity contestants this season include actress Melanie Walters, former England footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips and Australian singer Delta Goodrem.
They will be joined by actress Lacey Turner, celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, Love Island winner Cach Mercer, presenter Will Best, Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey, actresses Jaime Winstone and Bethany Antonia, dog trainer and presenter Graeme “The Dogfather” Hall, Emmerdale’s Lawrence Robb, Olympian Tabby Stoecker and sports content creator John Nellis.
The BBC has also confirmed five new professional dancers are joining the show this year: Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita.
Strictly will return on Saturday September 19 to BBC One and iPlayer.