All fans of dance, sequins and panels of flamboyant judges, rejoice – Strictly Come Dancing is back.
The autumn staple returns to BBC One in September, with Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman resuming their hosting duties.
After a trial run last year, Anton Du Beke makes the permanent move from dancer to judge this season, as he now shares scoring responsibilities with Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood.
Of course, there are many professional dancers in tow, as well as 15 celebrities who are showing off their skills in styles from salsa to waltz. (You can check out the full line-up here.)
A contestant that many are hedging their bets on for the glitterball is singer Fleur East.
But who exactly is she, and how does she feel about being a part of Strictly 2022?
East first hit TV screens in 2005 as part of girl group Addictiv Ladies on The X Factor. After getting eliminated in week one of the live studio shows, the group disbanded.
However, this was far from the end of East’s X Factor journey; in 2014, she reauditioned as a solo act where she impressed the judges and the public with her energetic performances. Her rendition of Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’s “Uptown Funk” reached number one on the UK iTunes chart, leading the original track to be released five weeks ahead of schedule.
Ultimately, East finished in second place and went on to score a number three single with the song, “Sax”.
After this, she took part in I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2018, finishing in fourth place. She has continued performing and releasing music ever since.
Speaking about displaying her dancing skills on Strictly, East said in a statement: “I’m equally nervous and thrilled to be part of this year’s Strictly line up. I’m excited to learn new skills and I want to soak up every moment of this magical experience. It’s such an honour to be on the show after years of watching it with my father who loved it so much.
“Unfortunately my Dad is no longer with us but I know he will be watching over the ballroom in spirit. I’m doing this to make him and my family proud and can’t wait to get my dancing shoes on!”
Strictly Come Dancing will air on BBC One from September onwards.
