Magical...Strictly’s final line-up
GOOD Morning Britain host Charlotte Hawkins could not wait to do a twirl yesterday as she and Debbie McGee, magician Paul Daniels’ widow, were confirmed as among the final five contestants of this year’s Strictly.
Debbie, 58, whose husband died of a brain tumour at 77 last year, revealed her involvement on The One Show last night.
She said: “There are no words to describe how I feel about performing on Strictly Come Dancing. The excitement is overwhelming. I can’t stop smiling. It’s been the hardest secret I have ever had to keep.”
Her announcement came after Charlotte, 42, delivered her own news yesterday morning – that she had also joined Strictly.
The presenter and newsreader told ITV viewers: “The 11th contestant to join Strictly Come Dancing 2017 is...me.”
As she sashayed around the studio with the show’s Richard Arnold, 47, she joked: “This is where I trip over.”
Viewers also saw her taken for a brief twirl by Brendan Cole, 41, who has been a part of the professional dancing line-up since Strictly first aired in 2004.
He took Charlotte for a dance as he appeared on the breakfast TV show alongside former Strictly judge Arlene Phillips, 74, who gave them her verdict and scored them a five.
Tribute
She told Charlotte: “I would like to say let the man lead, it’s not your turn. I would say on first attempt around a five.”
Fellow Good Morning host Kate Garraway, 50, who competed in the BBC One show in 2007, said she wished Hawkins all the best, joking: “Someone’s got to do better than me.”
The remaining three contestants, also announced yesterday, were former paralympian gold medal winner Jonnie Peacock, 24, Holby City favourite Chizzy Akudolu, 43, and former X Factor winner Alexandra Burke, 28.
Jonnie, an amputee below the knee, becomes the first contestant with a disability to take part.
He said: “I can’t wait to see what I can achieve and how far I can push myself.” Ms Burke, 28, who won X Factor in 2008, said: “I love this show and have followed it from the beginning.” Chizzy left Holby in June after five years as Mo Effanga.
New dancers are Amy Dowden, 26, of south Wales, Aussie Dianne Buswell and Nadiya Bychkova, of Ukraine, both 28.
There will also be a new judge with Shirley Ballas, 56, joining after the retirement of Len Goodman, 73. Presenters will once again be Tess Daley, 48, with Claudia Winkleman, 45. They are expected to pay a tribute to former host Sir Bruce Forsyth after his death at the age of 89.