Ted Lasso actress and 8 Out of 10 Cats comedian Ellie Taylor is the ninth celebrity to be revealed in the BBC One Strictly Come Dancing line-up for 2022.
The 38-year-old walked onto ITV’s Lorraine in the latest reveal this morning on August 9.
Taylor is best known for appearing in the now-cancelled The Mash Report, 8 Out Of 10 Cats with Jimmy Carr, and starring in the hit Apple TV show, Ted Lasso.
The actress plays Flo ‘Sassy’ Collins in Ted Lasso, who is Rebecca’s best friend and Ted’s on and off-again love interest with Ted played by Jason Sudeikis.
Thrilled with the news, Taylor said: “Well, cover me in fake tan and roll me in sequins! I’m absolutely over the moon to be a part of Strictly 2022!
“I’ve watched the show for years so to be able to take to the dance floor is a dream come true, for both me and mum who is a Strictly super fan!”
The actress spoke to previous Strictly contestant Ranvir Singh on Lorraine and revealed that she got the news “a few months ago”.
Deciding whether to do the programme was an easy decision with the star exclaiming it was “an immediate yes”.
Taylor has warned on expectations when it comes to how good she will be in the Strictly ballroom, although many stars have progressed expertly.
She said: “I can’t dance. But at a wedding, give me a vodka and I will have a dance.
“The thing is when I perform comedy I am quite clowny and limby, I have never been elegant ... I would love to find a joy in dancing, and find the freedom.”
She added: “At the moment I’m focusing on the excitement and glitter and choosing to ignore the fact that I have the dancing ability of a newly born giraffe. Bring it on!”
Eight other celebrities have been announced for this year’s Strictly line-up, including popstar Matt Goss, KISS FM DJ Tyler West, actor Will Mellor, actress Kym Marsh, Loose Women star Kaye Adams, Radio 2’s Richie Anderson, comedian Jayde Adams, and now retired paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds.
