Strictly Come Dancing bosses have unveiled the tenth celebrity contestant for this year’s line up.
The 17th series of Strictly Come Dancing will air in the autumn on BBC One putting the sparkle back into Saturday and Sunday nights.
World Table Tennis Paralympic champion Will Bayley MBE is the tenth celebrity contestant confirmed for the brand new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Will said: “I’m so proud to be on the show, it’s my family’s favourite show. I have no dance experience at all, but I hope I can do well. I want to inspire people with a disability- that would mean a lot to me. I want to prove to people I can do this.”
Will has suffered from arthrogryposis since birth, a rare condition which affects all four of his limbs. Will is classified as a Class 7 Paralympic athlete and was one of the stars of London 2012 and Rio 2016 games, winning consecutive silver and gold medals.
In January 2017 Will was awarded an MBE for services for Table Tennis and is currently training to defend his Paralympic title at the Tokyo 2020 games. He recently won Gold at the Japan Open 2019.
His Strictly signing was confirmed this morning (Monday 5th August) on TalkRadio.
Will joins the growing confirmed cast of confirmed Strictly contestants.
Earlier today, American singer, television host, radio DJ, and media personality Michelle Visage was also announced for the cast.
Michelle is best known for her role as a judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race since season three and on all seasons of the spin-off show RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. Michelle will appear on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, which is set to air on BBC Three this October.
Also confirmed are Viscountess Emma Weymouth, CBBC presenter Karim Zeroua, BBC sports presenter Mike Bushell, soap star Catherine Tyldesley and YouTube vlogger Saffron Barker.
They’re joined by England international goalkeeper David James, comedian Chris Ramsey and EastEnders actress Emma Barton.
Rumoured celebs who are tipped to join them include legend Anneka Rice, Made In Chelsea’s Jamie Laing and Radio 1 DJ Dev Griffin.
Also linked to the show are Olympic rower James Cracknell and football manager Sam Allardyce.
Strictly Come Dancing will start on BBC One in September.
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