Nick Knowles, Paul Merson and Sam Quek have been named as the final three contestants in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
TV presenter Knowles, former England footballer Merson and Olympic gold medallist Quek were announced on BBC’s The One Show on Monday evening.
DIY SOS star Knowles, 61, said he was “so, so excited” and “dancing live on TV will be a whole new adventure”.
Merson, 56, who has spoken publicly about his struggles with drugs, alcohol, gambling addiction and depression, said: “Here’s hoping my two left feet can learn some moves and you never know, maybe I’ll be taking home the glitterball trophy.”
Quek, 35, who won Olympic gold with the Team GB women’s hockey team in 2016, has been a team captain on A Question Of Sport and co-hosted the opening ceremony of last year’s Eurovision Song Contest in her hometown Liverpool.
She said: “I’m chuffed to be a part of this legendary show and quickstep into the shoes of a performer. It feels absolutely surreal but I’m ready for every bit of the adventure.”
Other contestants on the show, starting next month, include Morning Live doctor Punam Krishan, Gladiator and Olympian Montell Douglas, EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, Olympic swimmer Tom Dean, singer Shayne Ward and Miranda actress Sarah Hadland.
Comedian Chris McCausland will be Strictly’s first blind contestant, while the remaining competitors are JLS star JB Gill, Go Compare opera singer Wynne Evans, singer Toyah Willcox, Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri, and reality TV star Pete Wicks.
Hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly are set to return as hosts this year, while Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke are back as judges.
Strictly, which began in 2004, has long been a viewers’ favourite, with almost 10 million watching last year’s final.
However the programme has been embroiled in controversy recently after former contestant Amanda Abbington accused dancer Giovanni Pernice of subjecting her to “threatening and abusive” behaviour before she quit last year’s series for “personal reasons”.
The results of an investigation, launched by the BBC, have not yet been published.
Pernice, 33, denies the allegations and says he is cooperating with the corporation.
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Another 2023 contestant, Love Island star Zara McDermott, accused dancer Graziano Di Prima of kicking her.
Di Prima, who has left the show, admitted the kick – later saying he didn’t intend to do it – and said he had apologised.
TV presenter Laura Whitmore also said she was subjected to “inappropriate behaviour” during her time on the show in 2016. The former Love Island host was partnered with Pernice on Strictly.
The BBC has announced new welfare measures for the upcoming series, including a chaperone who will be present “at all times” during rehearsals.
Source : Sky News
