Lewis: Cherie was my 'Strictly' favourite

Rex Features

Denise Lewis has revealed that Cherie Lunghi was her favourite Strictly Come Dancing contestant this year.

The former Olympic athlete, who finished runner-up in the show's second series, said that she particularly enjoyed Lunghi's Rumba.

"Cherie in her Rumba was absolutely stunning. She was sexy, she just nailed that for me," she told Claudia Winkleman on It Takes Two.

Asked about her opinion of last week's programme, Lewis confessed that she was very surprised to see Austin Healey leave the show.

"I couldn't believe it. I was really shocked," she said.