Ellie Simmonds has joined the line-up for Strictly Come Dancing 2022.
The Paralympian swimmer will join Loose Women panelist Kaye Adams, radio and TV presenter Richie Anderson, soap stars Will Mellor and Kym Marsh, and comedian Jayde Adams on the upcoming season of the hit BBC show.
The gold medal winner said: “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!!”
Here to make a splash on #Strictly. Gold medal winning Paralympian swimmer Ellie Simmonds joins our 2022 team! 🥇
👉 https://t.co/IjGUHuMu8b @EllieSimmonds1 pic.twitter.com/ER2S7IQSFL
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) August 7, 2022
Ellie admitted: “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. 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.”
Ellie will battle it out on the dancefloor in a bid to impress Strictly judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.
Strictly Come Dancing will return to our screens next month.
