Helen Skelton is the latest celebrity contestant to be confirmed for the brand new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
The 39-year-old TV and radio presenter was widely tipped to be taking part in the BBC ballroom show and her place on the program has now been confirmed as she completes the full celebrity list.
It was revealed on Saturday morning on BBC Radio 2 during Claudia Winkleman’s Breakfast Show that Helen – who split from husband Richie Myler earlier this year – will be appearing on the show.
Helen said: “I’m really excited to embark on a fun adventure. My family and friends have always loved the show and can’t wait for me to start.’
Confirmed: Helen Skelton is the latest celebrity contestant confirmed for the brand new series of Strictly Come Dancing
Helen began her television career in children’s television, presenting Newsround and Blue Peter on the BBC.
While presenting Blue Peter for 5 years, she took on some incredible challenges, including completing the Namibia Ultramarathon, cycling to the South Pole and kayaking over 2,018 miles down the Amazon River.
Since then she has presented shows on various channels including Countryfile, several major sporting events for BBC Sport, Lorraine on ITV, FA Women’s Super League football matches on BT Sport.
Keep dancing! The 39-year-old TV and radio presenter has been widely tipped to appear on the BBC ballroom show and her place on the program has now been confirmed as she completes the full celebrity line-up
She also presents Channel 4’s Rugby Super League and Inside The Superbrands in addition to the hugely successful On The Farm series for Channel 5 and is a regular guest on ITV Tonight.
On Friday, EastEnders actor James Bye, 38, who has played Martin Fowler in the BBC show since 2014, was officially announced as the 14th star.
It comes after former X Factor star Fleur East and Countryfile star Hamza Yassin were revealed as the 12th and 13th stars on Thursday – joining previously announced stars Kim Marsh, Will Mellor and Jade Adams, among others with others.
Latest: EastEnders actor James By, best known for his role as Martin Fowler, ‘fills out line-up for Strictly Come Dancing series 20’
On Friday, soap star James joked he was ready to show off his ‘dad dance’ when he hit the ballroom later this year.
When it was announced, James said: “I’m not known for my twinkling toes – in fact my kids regularly laugh at my dad dancing, but it’s an honor to be asked and I’ll give it my all.
“There are some huge dancing shoes to fill and it’s really exciting to be following in the footsteps of some amazing EastEnders talent. I would like to make everyone proud.
James is best known for portraying the iconic role of Martin in the award-winning BBC soap EastEnders, which he took over in 2014.
It has been nominated for several British Soap Awards, winning one for Best Plot in 2016.
He previously had roles in the BBC One mini-series The Great Train Robbery and in films including Hummingbird, The Hooligan Factory and Cemetery Junction. On stage, he appeared in several well-reviewed theater productions.
Exciting: It comes after former X Factor star Fleur East and Countryfile star Hamza Yasin were revealed as the 12th and 13th stars on Thursday – joining previously announced stars Kim Marsh (pictured), Will Mellor and Jade Adams, among others
It comes after Wildlife cameraman and presenter Hamza was announced as the 13th contestant to join the Strictly Come Dancing line-up on Thursday.
Hamza – who is one of the presenters of the BBC’s Animal Park and a guest presenter on Countryfile – joined former X Factor star Fleur in revealing the celebrities who will appear on Thursday’s dance show.
It comes amid claims BBC bosses fear they are running out of celebrities as Strictly approaches its 20th series.
Hamza Yassin said: “I’m absolutely over the moon to be joining Strictly 2022. Never in a million years did I think I’d be on such a cool show. I’ve been watching it for years and can’t believe I’m actually going to be dancing live in front of a British audience.
“My dancing skills are at the ‘1970’s disco level right now, but I’m willing to work hard and shake it every chance I get – shake it ’til you make it!’
He is also well known to younger viewers as Ranger Hamza, presenting the CBeebies live show Let’s Go For A Walk and the new series Ranger Hamza’s Eco Quest later this month.
Hamza moved to the Scottish Highlands when he was young to follow his dream of photographing Scottish wildlife and becoming a wildlife cameraman.
Stars: It comes after Wildlife cameraman and presenter Hamza was announced as the 13th contestant to join the Strictly Come Dancing line-up on Thursday
The shows: Hamza – who is one of the presenters of BBC’s Animal Park and a guest presenter on BBC’s Countryfile – joined former X Factor star Fleur East to be revealed as the celebrities to appear on Thursday’s dance show
He has lived there ever since and recently starred in the Channel 4 documentary Scotland: My Life in the Wild and Scotland: Escape to the Wilderness, in which he guides celebrity companions on trips across West and East Scotland and the Highlands.
In his spare time, Hamza competes in the Highland Games and enjoys riding the country roads on his motorcycle.
It comes after The Mail on Sunday revealed last week that some BBC executives are concerned there are no longer enough big names to compete for the glittering ball.
With comedian Jadie Adams the fifth contestant introduced for this year’s series, even Radio 5 DJ and former Strictly star Scott Mills shared his concerns – telling his listeners he now thinks they should start including former contestants.
The announcement of Miss Adams came just a day after it was revealed that Radio 2 travel reporter Richie Anderson was in this year’s line-up.
A corporation source said: “Being on Strictly is a dream for so many celebrities, but so many of them have done it now. They have lived that dream and reaped the enormous benefits of it.
LOW COME TO DANCE 2022: WHO ARE THE PARTICIPANTS?
KIM MARSH
Age: 46
Occupation: Coronation Street star and presenter
Kym says: “I’m so glad there is this year! I’m a huge fan of the show and can’t believe I’m going from watching at home in my pajamas to actually dancing in front of the judges in a sparkly dress.
RICHIE ANDERSON
Age: 34
Occupation: Radio host
Richie says: “This is a dream come true! I can’t wait to slip into those sparkles and sequins and shine on the world’s most famous dance floor!’
ELI SIMMONDS
Age: 27
Occupation: Former athlete
Ellie says: “Being asked to be part of the Strictly family is so exciting and I can’t wait, it’s going to be so much fun.”
TYLER WEST
Age: 26
Occupation: Radio DJ
Tyler says, “This is a show that means so much to me and my family and I can’t wait to seriously shake a leg on that shiny dance floor… with a side of sequins.”
ELI TAYLOR
Age: 38
Occupation: Comedian
Ellie says, “Well, cover me in fake tan and roll me in sequins! I’m absolutely over the moon to be a part of Strictly 2022!’
TONY ADAMS MBE
Occupation: Retired footballer and manager
Tony says: “To say I’m excited is an understatement – the lure of sequins and the call of salsa has me swapping my battered old football boots for a set of strictly soft shoes”
JAMES BYE
Age: 38
Occupation: EastEnders actor
James says: “I’m not known for my twinkling toes – in fact my kids regularly laugh at my dad dancing, but it’s an honor to be asked and I’ll give it my all.”
HELEN SKELTON
Age: 39
Occupation: TV and radio presenter
Helen says: “I’m really excited to embark on a fun adventure. My family and friends have always loved the show and can’t wait for me to start.”
WILL MELLOR
Age: 46
Profession: Actor
Will says: “I know it’s going to be a huge challenge, but that’s what life is all about. It’s also my mom’s favorite show, and she’s had some really tough years, so I’m doing this for her too. Give it!’
KAY ADAMS
Age: 59
Occupation: TV presenter
Kay says: “I said I wanted to make the last year of my fifty years one to remember and I couldn’t think of a better way to do that than to show the world my two left feet. Pray for me!’
JADE ADAMS
Age: 37
Occupation: Comedian
Jayde says: “I’ve been a huge fan of the show for years. I feel like I’m watching myself in a dream and I can’t believe I manifested this.”
MATT GOSS
Age: 53
Profession: Singer
Matt says: “I was lonely, I come, I work and then I go back to America. I figured it was time to go home and get out of my way
MOLLY RAINFORD
Age: 21
Profession: Singer
Molly says: “I already know it’s going to be an experience of a lifetime and I can’t wait to meet the rest of the Strictly family to share it with.”
FLEUR EAST
Age: 34
Profession: Singer
Fleur says: “I’m equal parts nervous and excited to be part of this year’s Strictly line-up. I am excited to learn new skills and want to soak up every moment of this magical experience.”
HAMZA YASIN
Age: 35
Occupation: cameraman and wildlife presenter
Hamza says: “I’m absolutely over the moon to be joining Strictly 2022. I never in a million years thought I’d be on such a cool show.”
“The success of Strictly has been huge, the ratings are still huge so it will continue – but so many big names have come on now you have to wonder where the rest will come from now.”
Last year’s series was won by deaf EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, which was watched several times a week by at least two million viewers. And in the first ten years famous names like John Sergeant, Emma Bunton and Jerry Hall…
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