Kaye Adams and Richie Anderson are the latest celebrity contestants confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2022.
The Loose Women star (59) announced her involvement during Friday’s episode of the ITV daytime show, while TV and radio personality Anderson (34) was unveiled during the Zoe Ball Breakfast Show earlier in the day.
They join previously announced stars in the line-up – Coronation Street actors Will Mellor and Kym Marsh.
Adams said she signed up for the dance competition as she wants the last year of her 50s to be “memorable”.
Ready to cut loose on the #Strictly dance floor. It's broadcaster and journalist Kaye Adams! 💃🏻
👉 https://t.co/OtXJfBTEYu pic.twitter.com/R7Sg53dfSVAdvertisement— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) August 5, 2022
In a statement following the announcement, the Scottish broadcaster said: “I said I wanted to make the last year of my 50s memorable and I can’t think of a better way of doing it than showing the world my two left feet. Pray for me.”
Her fellow Loose Women panellists were in disbelief after she broke the news, with Denise Welch trying to reassure her by saying: “I did Dancing On Ice and and it’s terrifying but it’s a wonderful experience.”
Adams confessed she is “absolutely terrified” and admitted she “can’t dance at all”.
But despite the nerves, she said she wants to embrace the opportunity, adding: “I can’t make much (more) of a fool of myself any more than I am.”
Adams also hosts a morning show on BBC Radio Scotland and has presented programmes on various channels, including on STV and the BBC, and was previously a panellist on Channel 5’s morning show The Wright Stuff.
Swapping early mornings for Saturday nights, Richie Anderson joins our line-up! 🕺🏻
👉 https://t.co/fL7YA6QS8e @richie_anderson @BBCRadio2 #Strictly pic.twitter.com/EGGMdNjFsj— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) August 5, 2022
Meanwhile, Anderson said it is a “massive honour” to dance in an all-male partnership on Strictly.
He said: “This is a dream come true. I cannot wait to get in those sparkles and sequins and shimmy across the most famous dance floor in the world. Strictly is the ultimate feel-good show – as soon as I hear that iconic theme tune it’s just pure escapism.
“I’m going to have to cancel my legendary Strictly launch night kitchen party that I throw every year. I’m sure my friends and family will understand.
“It’s also a massive honour to be part of an all-male dance partnership – it’s so important we have that inclusion on such a huge show.”
Anderson is a regular fixture on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast show, presenting the travel bulletins, and has also hosted a variety of programmes himself.
He has been a regular presenter on The One Show and featured in BBC One’s Platinum Jubilee coverage earlier this year.
Strictly has so far featured two same-sex pairings, with boxer Nicola Adams and Katya Jones dancing together in 2020 and Johannes Radebe and Bake Off’s John Whaite making the final last year.
Former pop star Marsh and Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps actor Mellor (both 46) were unveiled on BBC Breakfast on Thursday.
Marsh found fame in the band Hear’Say, who were created through ITV show Popstars in 2001, before turning to acting and starring as Michelle Connor in Coronation Street.
She's an actress, singer, presenter and now soon to be #Strictly dancer! Say hello to Kym Marsh 💃🏻
👉 https://t.co/uAHSYM3yO8 @msm4rsh pic.twitter.com/76D7WqyUU0— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) August 4, 2022
She now co-presents Morning Live alongside Gethin Jones, and recently appeared in the touring theatre production of Fatal Attraction.
Mellor said Strictly is his mother Shirley’s favourite show and that following the death of his father in 2020 from cancer, he wants to create new memories.
Four new professional dancers will appear in the new series of Strictly, creating the show’s largest ever roster.
It comes after two-time winner Oti Mabuse and Aljaz Skorjanec announced their departures.
The last series was won by Rose Ayling-Ellis with professional partner Giovanni Pernice.
The forthcoming 20th series will see audiences return to the studio, with the launch show scheduled to be recorded on September 7th.
