Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly has told Weekend magazine that she thinks the long running ballroom dance show is, “feel-good television at its finest.”

The show of course returned to the BBC last night with this year’s debut show, which saw the celebrity contestants learning who would be their pro-dance partners for the series. You can read about that by clicking here.

But back to what Tess – who has been hosting the show since 2004 – had to say of the show, she added, “Even when someone fails, there’s never an underlying nastiness or cruelty.

“We’re an affectionate show and we’re not poking fun at anyone. Strictly is feel-good television at its finest.

“People are part of it – they feel Strictly is their show. And we love that.”

She added, “I’ve grown up with it, I suppose. I live and breathe it. It’s like a family and we’re all coming back together.”

Tess also revealed that she’s looking forward to seeing how ballerina Darcey Bussell copes being on the judging panel this year alongside “Mr Nasty” Craig Revel Horwood as well as of course long-serving judges Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli.

But of the fact that the now Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon is of course not on the SCD judging panel anymore, Tess said, “None of us had any idea Alesha was going to leave. Of course, initially I was disappointed.

“I’d known her since I got into television. I loved the girl. But she’s going to make a success of whatever she chooses in life.”

Tess added, “I’ve spoken to Darcey and I told her, ‘Keep those boys in line. Treat them mean and keep them keen!’”

Darcey has of course previously stated that she’s going to be a “harsh” judge. Time will tell if that’s the case or not!

Are you missing Alesha on the SCD panel?