Soap stars Will Mellor and Kym Marsh have been confirmed as the first Strictly Come Dancing 2022 contestants.
The Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps actor and the Coronation Street actress were revealed on BBC’s Breakfast on Thursday.
“I’ve considered doing Strictly for years but the timings never worked out. I’m so delighted that this year they have!,” Kym said, speaking on the breakfast show.
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She continued, “I’m a huge fan of the show and can’t believe I’m going to go from watching at home in my pyjamas to actually dancing in front of the judges in a glittery dress, it’s unreal!”
The actress revealed she hadn’t told her BBC Morning Live co-host Gethin Jones the news, despite him having taken part in the competition in 2007.
“I was joking with him and I said ”were you on Strictly because you’ve never mentioned it!” I think he was always asking me if I was going to do it, and he kept going on about it again over the next few months, and of course I’ve not spoken to him and I’ll probably get a message later saying ”you never told me!,'” Kym said.
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The former Hearsay singer revealed she has “respect” for the criticism of the Strictly judges.
“I was judged by Nasty Nigel in Popstars don’t forget that, he was the villain back in the day!,” she recalled. “These are the people I truly respect, this is what they do, I’m just going to have to suck it up I guess, you’ve just to take it on the chin.”
Kym’s fellow Corrie star Will was unveiled as the first contestant for the 20th series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Speaking on BBC’s Breakfast, he said, “I’m honestly so chuffed to be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this year! Not going to lie, it’s totally out of my comfort zone and I know it will be a huge challenge but that’s what life is all about.”
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“This is also my Mum’s favourite show and she’s had a really tough few years so I’m doing this is for her as well. Bring it on!”
The 46-year-old revealed he agreed to sign up for the hit BBC after vowing to “grab life” following the death of his father in 2020.
“I lost my dad in 2020, and from then I thought I’ve just got to grab life and do things and create new memories, and that’s one of the reasons I said yes.”
“Because [my mother]’s had such a tough time of it, I wanted to give her something to look forward to, she lost my dad and her brother and brother-in-law and sister in a year and it was a really tough time for the family. I think mentally it will be good for me as well.”
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The launch date of Strictly Come Dancing 2022 was recently announced as Wednesday, September 7.
The hit dancing series will film a pre-recorded launch show which will see this year’s celebrity contestants paired up with their professional partners.
Seasoned Strictly pros Amy, Johannes, Dianne, Graziano, Gorka, Jowita, Nikita, Karen, Nancy, Giovanni, Luba, Neil, Nadiya, Cameron, Katya and Kai will be joined by four new pros – Carlos, Lauren, Michelle and Vito for the 20th series.
