Dancing With the Stars pro dancer Derek Hough gushed over one of his former partners in a recent interview.

Hough won Dancing With the Stars in spring 2013 with country singer Kellie Pickler, and he spoke kind words about her on Access Hollywood Live.

"I adore [Kellie]," Hough admitted. "She's a special, special girl."

Hough said that he and Pickler developed a special bond over the course of the DWTS season 16, and talked about her understanding husband Kyle Jacobs.

"I'm not gonna lie - there are some people, or men or husbands or boyfriends, that come on there who are a little bit like, 'Oooh - you're doing the rumba with my wife or girlfriend'," Hough continued, "but [Kyle] was completely amazing and just super comfortable and confident in who he is."

After Pickler and Hough won the trophy in May 2013, the duo appeared together on Pickler's music video Someone Somewhere Tonight. The video was released in early July and features the pair dancing along to the song.

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Hough confirmed that he would be returning to Dancing With the Stars for season 17 this fall. He is also hosting a one-hour special called Family Dance Off, featuring five families competing for $10,000.

The official cast of Dancing With the Stars will be unveiled Wednesday, Sept. 4 on Good Morning America. The celebrities' partners (the pro dancers) will also be revealed. Season 17 of Dancing With the Stars is scheduled to premiere on Monday, Sept. 16 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Tags: Dancing with the Stars Dancing With the Stars Season 17 kellie pickler derek hough