Former Strictly Come Dancing pro AJ Pritchard has backed Phillip Schofield for success on Strictly Come Dancing should he ever decide to take part in the future.

The 58-year-old This Morning presenter has recently denied speculation that he will be taking part in this year's edition of the ballroom contest after reports linked him with becoming part of the show's first all-male pairing.

"I think Philip Schofield would be great on Strictly," AJ, who stepped down from the show earlier this year to pursue a career as a presenter himself, told The Sun.

"He got up on This Morning once with Holly and did a bit of a boogie and he can dance, and he is entertaining, and he is such a nice guy.

"To see him learn and put him under a bit of pressure would always be funny, I'm sure.

"It would be great if he was part of the first same sex couple on Strictly - I would love to see that."

Yesterday the BBC confirmed comedians Caroline Quentin and Bill Bailey as the first two contestants for this year's Strictly, which begins in late October.