Fleur East has been announced as the 12th contestant signed up for Strictly Come Dancing 2022.
The X-Factor star is the latest celebrity to join the star-studded line-up, admitting she is ‘equally nervous and thrilled’ to join the show. "She’s heading in the direction of the #Strictly dance floor. Welcome pop star and presenter Fleur East!" the announcement read.
The BBC One show is back next month for its 20th series, with a big shake-up to the line-up including newly permanent judge Anton du Beke - who will replace Bruno Tonioli and sit alongside Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse. There will also be four new professionals after Oti Mabuse and Alijaz Škorjanec quit.
Speaking about joining the show, Fleur said: "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!”
It comes after Loose Women's Kaye Adams was one of a number of TV stars confirmed to be joining the upcoming series. Speaking about joining the show, she told her fellow panellists: "Actually it’s quite funny because I’m terrified, I’m absolutely terrified because as Nadia very kindly says, as a supportive friend does - ‘Let’s face it, you can’t dance’, which is true. It’s true!"
She added: "I’ll be a journey [on the show]. I’ll be honest with you, I can think of a million reasons not to do this and I can still think of a million reasons not to do this and when these gorgeous dancers came on, I nearly exited from both ends of my body, honestly. Sorry about that! But I thought, ‘Am I going to be thinking at the end of September I wish I’d done this’. I’m 59, 60 at the end of this year and I was like, ‘Well, why not?’ I’m a really competitive person and Nadia, you know that’s true but in this I’m not. If I enjoy myself, I’ll be so happy."
Paralympian Ellie Simmonds - known for bringing home the medals in her swimming career - also signed up to the show, and as a self-confessed Strictly fan, expressed her excitement about joining the new series.
She said in a statement: "Oh my gosh!! I’m literally bursting with excitement!! It’s been soooo hard keeping this secret as I’ve wanted to tell everyone. I’m going on Strictly Come Dancing!! I’m a tad nervous too, well more than a tad… I’m absolutely petrified! To be asked to be part of the Strictly family is just so exciting and I cannot wait, it’s going to so much fun. I’m counting down the minutes until it starts; learning to dance, meeting my partner and everyone else involved in the show."
She added: "Plus wearing the sequins and all that, It’s going to be a blast. I’ve been watching Strictly from as far back as I can remember; it’s a traditional lead up to Christmas with my family and it’s a genuine privilege to be part of it."
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