Strictly Come Dancing’s Lauren Steadman’s salsa secret revealed

Lauren Steadman has revealed her salsa secret ahead of Strictly Come Dancing’s launch.

Lauren was the thirteenth celebrity contestant announced for this year’s Strictly line up.

Lauren Steadman is a double World Champion Paratriathlete, Paralympic Silver medallist and six times European Champion. She was born missing her lower right arm, but this has only spurred her on to be the best she can be, and she relishes the challenge of overcoming these barriers.

At 14, she went to Beijing Paralympics Games at which point her career really took off. Such was her talent, Lauren switched sports from swimming to triathlon after London 2012’s Paralympic Games where she then went on to win silver at Rio 2016 in the sport’s inaugural inclusion at the Games.

As well as her sporting prowess, Lauren also has a history of dance.

“I like to dance salsa – I’ve been doing it for about four years and I teach now as well,” Lauren said last year (via the Daily Mirror). “I got into it because my psychologist said that sport is no longer your hobby it’s your career, so you need something outside of that to enjoy.

“I gave it a try and the rest is history!”

A spokesperson for the sports star told the newspaper: “She has salsa danced socially for several years and on occasion, due to shortages of teachers, she has helped beginners.

“She’s not formally trained or qualified. She does it because she loves it!”

On joining the show this month, Lauren said: “I still don’t think it has properly sunk in that I’m actually going to be part of this year’s Strictly! I have loved the show since I was young, and it’s a huge thing to tick off my bucket list. I’m more nervous about being on stage, performing live and in front of the judges than I am about the Elite Paratriathlon Grand Final next month!

“But I’m up for the challenge and excited to swap my triathlon kit for dancing shoes and sequins.”

Strictly Come Dancing launches on BBC One on Saturday, September 8.