Piers Morgan tells Charlotte Hawkins to be ‘brutal’ and ‘take out’ Debbie McGee on Strictly Come Dancing

Piers Morgan has offered Charlotte Hawkins some words of advice on how to win this year’s Strictly Come Dancing – and it will involve being “brutal”.

Morgan said his Good Morning Britain co-presenter has “promise”, but that the only way she can lift the coveted glitterball trophy is if she ‘takes out’ fellow competitor Debbie McGee.

The former magician’s assistant wowed the judges and earned 30 points with her Paso Doble, which saw her plant a surprise kiss on partner Giovanni Pernice’s lips.

Speaking about her routine, Morgan said: “She was good. She’s one of the favourites. You’ve got to take Debbie out because she’s really beginning to cement herself in public opinion.

“If you want to win you’ve got to be brutal.”

Hawkins danced the Waltz with Brendan Cole, with the pair scoring 22 points for their first dance.

Critiquing her performance Morgan added: “Few technical issues. Wasn’t quite there for me yet. But a lot of promise.”

Hawkins said her debut on the BBC ballroom show was more nerve wracking than her wedding day, telling Morgan and fellow presenter Susanna Reid that she was physically shaking ahead of the dance.

“I was feeling absolutely terrified and I was trying not to physically shake,” she said.

“Without a doubt and apologies to my husband because it was a big day but that was the scariest thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

Saturday night's opening show saw Aston Merrygold finish top of the leader board with 31 points after impressing the judges with his Foxtrot, while Ruth Langsford's “stumble-and-grab dance” left her in last place.

Good Morning Britain is on ITV weekdays at 6am.

Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One, Saturday at 6:45pm.