EastEnders actor John Partridge has backed Tameka Empson to win Strictly Come Dancing - after he taught her to tango in her dressing room.

The 45-year-old revealed their secret backstage rendezvous while joining in with a movement class with disabled dancers in Glasgow.

He said: "She's been wanting to do that show since I've known her.

"When we were at work we would always mess around and do routines.

"I cannot wait to see her tango -- and her Latin is going to be off the scale."

The star, who trained at the Royal Ballet, was showing off his dance moves as he joined a class for disabled dancers in Glasgow.

He has just become patron of Indepen-dance, a charity that offers dance classes for people with disabilities.

Partridge, who has spoken about being a carer for his mum, said: "Dance is so powerful and to have an outlet to express yourself is life changing.

"This is how I started through dance.

"It's still my place that I go to when I don't feel too good about things or when I have things that aren't quite going the way I want to, I always come back to dance.

"It's my first love.

"You can see for these young people here, it's what helps them connect with their selves.

"There's an autistic girl here who doesn't speak who is communicating through dance and that's special."

The Herald:

The former soap star is currently appearing in Glasgow in a touring musical production of Chicago.

His father is from the city, and Partridge still has fond memories of his dad who introduced him to dance.

He added: "He was a lot older when I was born, so on a Sunday afternoon we weren't going to be kicking a football around, we sat down in front of all the MGMs.

"When I was four of five I couldn't tell you who played for Manchester United, but I knew all about Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire.

"I could name any dancing movie star and it was my dad who gave me that.

"As a Glaswegian from the East End and being a lot older when I was born, the idea of his son doing ballet was a stretch for him.

"But he allowed me that and encouraged and supported and believed in me.

"So when I was coming back to the city to be in Chicago, it was like the meeting of my two lives.

"It just feels wonderful."

The Herald:

The star, known for playing Christian Clarke on EastEnders, also revealed it may not be long before he returns to the Vic.

John made a return to the hit soap over the Summer -- but revealed his character Christian may be involved in some Christmas storylines.

He said: "Christian is always nice to go back and revisit.

"Obviously I've been touring with the show so it's been hard to fit it in.

"I went back in February and then June - and who knows I may be back again…"