IF THE producers of Strictly Come Dancing are reading this – Ian Waite would like a less towering partner if he appears in the next series.

“They’re always tall obviously, because I’m tall. Actually, I’d like somebody a little bit smaller this year,” confides the blond Latin dancer.

But he’s not complaining about his previous matches, which have included radio DJ Zoe Ball, Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis and, of course, Rod Stewart’s other half Penny Lancaster.

“She was absolutely amazing!” he enthuses. “She was very motherly and very caring, and was like that with everybody, so everyone was upset when she went.”

For now, though, Waite’s partners will all be professional as he embarks on the Strictly Pro tour, which stops off at the Liverpool Empire next month.

“It’s going to be very exciting,” he reveals.

“Most of us are doing our speciality dances, so Natalie (Lowe) and I will be doing some of our ballroom dances, and Vincent (Simone) and Flavia (Cacace) will be dancing the Argentine tango, which they're renowned for.

“James (Jordan) and Ola (Jordan) will be doing some great Latin numbers, and Brian (Fortuna) and Kristina (Rihanoff) will be doing some of the things they’re known for in America, like the Hustle and the Mambo.”

The dancers have been working with the show’s director, Karen Bruce, on the group numbers, but have choreographed their own solos.

Waite, 39, says to expect “some emotional stuff” due to there being “10 of the best dancers in the world appearing together”.

“It should be very interesting to see how that works out,” he adds.

“This is purely doing show dances, but we all want to produce the best show, so we’ll be wanting the audience to back us the most.

“And there’ll be moments when we’re introducing each other and there’ll be clips from the show as well, so that's going to be all moulded into one big show.”