Alyson Hannigan Reveals the Advice She Received from Selma Blair Before Her “DWTS ”Performance (Exclusive)

The 'How I Met Your Mother' star said it was "such an honor" to have Blair return to 'Dancing with the Stars' after she dropped out of the competition last season due to complications from MS

Alyson Hannigan received some sweet advice from former Dancing with the Stars competitor Selma Blair.

On Tuesday’s episode of the ABC dance competition, Hannigan’s partner Sasha Farber invited Blair — who he was partnered with on season 31 before she dropped out due to complications from multiple sclerosis — to their rehearsals ahead of their performance to “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast.

“Having Selma come visit us was such an honor. She's such an inspiration,” the How I Met Your Mother alum, 49, alum exclusively tells PEOPLE. “I love her so much. I haven't seen her in years, so it was so nice to have her there… Everybody was so excited to see her. Even the dog, her dog was super excited to be back. It was just like... You can tell what a family they are.”

Related: DWTS: Julianne Hough Seemingly Outs 1 Couple as 'Lovebirds' and a Surprise Guest Is Welcomed into Rehearsals

“She's just so beautiful in everything she does, and she gave me some good, helpful advice, like to breathe,” she adds. “So, I was standing up there, ‘Okay, I'm breathing for you, Selma,’ and just to have somebody who's been exactly where I am, it's just great.”

Farber, 39, was also excited to have the Cruel Intentions star return for a visit, sharing, “It was amazing to have her back in the actual building and just her energy is so beautiful and it was great to see her in the studio.”

He adds: “She watched the dance, she loved it, and she gave some really positive feedback.”

Related: Selma Blair Drops Out of 'Dancing with the Stars' Season 31 Due to MS Concerns: 'I Can't Go On'

During their pre-performance package, Blair, 51, appeared equally thrilled to be back, sharing, “I cannot stop smiling being back here in the Dancing with the Stars studio.”

“Alyson’s spirit is so big. She’s such a pro. I mean, I think this is her time,” she added.

After the performance, judge Carrie Ann Inaba praised Hannigan for being "so animated" but noted she sometimes can "lose the musicality" because of it. She added, "Some of the movements felt a little limited.”

Derek Hough said it "lacked a little bit of content" but the Buffy alum made up for it with her personality and charm. Bruno Tonioli echoed their sentiments, urging her to "put the steps exactly to music."

Related: Selma Blair's 'DWTS' Costars Reveal 'Unadulterated Shock' by Her Exit: 'She Lights Up This Competition'

Back in October 2022, Blair — who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018 — announced her decision to bow out of DWTS to take care of her body.

"You know I've been monitored and in touch with my doctors this whole process," she said at the time. "I had these MRIs and when the results came back, it just all adds up to I can't. I can't. I can't go on with the competition. I pushed as far as I could."

"With a chronic illness, you do have special considerations and my body is definitely taking a hit," she added. "It's way too much for the safety of my bones. There's just intensive bone trauma and inflammation among rips and tears so I could do extensive damage that of course, I do not want."

Following Blair’s decision, Farber called her “my champion” despite her early exit.

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Dancing with the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.

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