Greg Wise gifted his fellow contestants with homemade jam, it was revealed during Strictly Come Dancing's highly-awaited return on Saturday night. After it was announced that the talented actor, 55, would be partnered with Karen Hauer, 39, during series 19's debut episode, the pair were interviewed by presenter Claudia Winkleman, 49, from the iconic ballroom studio. Heaping praise upon the glitterball hopeful, the TV host said, 'You are incredibly kind, the group have bonded so beautifully and you've been making people and giving them jam.' Hilarious: Greg Wise joked that he fed his fellow-contestants poisonous jam during Saturday night's returning episode of Strictly Come Dancing... after revealing he will be dancing in honour of his late 'disco diva' sister Confirming that it was indeed true, Greg revealed, 'Every contestant got homemade Damson jam that I made last week.' It wasn't long until he quipped, 'Poisoned, obviously. But they got the jam.' The Newcastle-born star previously revealed he is taking part in Strictly in honour of his late sister Clare, who was a huge fan of the show before her death in 2016 from cancer. Speaking to MailOnline ahead of his debut in the series, Greg said that his superstar wife Emma Thompson, 62, convinced him to sign up after insisting he was 'mad' not to take part Touching: The Newcastle-born star previously revealed he is taking part in Strictly in honour of his late sister Clare, who was a huge fan of the show before her death in 2016 from cancer (pictured in 2014) What a pair! After it was announced that the talented actor, 55, would be partnered with Karen Hauer, 39, during series 19's debut episode, the pair were interviewed by presenter Claudia Winkleman, 49, from the iconic ballroom studio Happy times: The new dancing duo couldn't hide their happiness as they struck a pose at the end of the first group routine They were originally planning to take their first holiday together in seven years before he was approached by bosses. Greg, who married Emma in 1992 after they co-starred in Sense and Sensibility, admitted: 'I told my dear lady wife when they asked me and I said no and she said, "You're mad you've got to do it!" He said: 'I was asked and I thought, "No absolutely I can't do it," and then I thought about it, and almost exactly five years after my sister died we'll be doing our first routines. Comedian: Greg revealed, 'Every contestant got homemade Damson jam that I made last week,' although it wasn't long until he quipped, 'Poisoned, obviously. But they got the jam' 'My sister was a real disco diva she was the dancer in the family and she left this world in a glitterball coffin, so as this world is all glittery I have to go it for her.' Greg added that he's hoping some of Clare's closest friends can be in the audience for one of the live shows. He added: 'I'm 30 years in as a professional now and I've never even dreamt of trying to get something like this, it's all about living slightly out of your comfort zone, I'm the oldest one here! I've got to try and emulate Mr. Bailey from last year.' This year's Strictly saw 15 celebrities take to the dancefloor with their professional partners. Loved up: Speaking to MailOnline ahead of his debut in the series, Greg revealed that his superstar wife Emma Thompson, 62, convinced him to sign up after insisting he was 'mad' not to take part (pictured in 2019) Stars including actor Greg, comedian Judi Love, singer Tom Fletcher and presenter AJ Odudu, who will take to the dancefloor in their sequins in the hope of impressing the judging panel. Despite the easing of Covid restrictions across the UK, bosses have confirmed that many of last year's protocols will continue for this series, including couples forming Covid-safe 'bubbles' so they can train and perform safely. This year's instalment also sees the return of a live audience, after most of the 2020 series was plagued by England's ongoing lockdowns. Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturday evenings on BBC One.