Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Jonnie’s first again
Para ace makes Strictly history
DOUBLE Paralympic champion Jonnie Peacock has bagged another title – Strictly Come Dancing’s first contestant with a disability.
The athlete, 24, was yesterday confirmed as completing the line-up with singer Alexandra Burke and Debbie Mcgee, widow of magician Paul Daniels.
Jonnie said of signing up: “The opportunity to be the first contestant with a disability to take part in Strictly’s main show was too good to turn down.
“I’ve got no previous dance history outside of the occasional ‘worm’ at a mate’s party and I know this will be a challenge and a new experience. I can’t wait to see what I can achieve and how far I can push myself.”
The sprinter last year defended his London 2012 Paralympic T44 100m title in Rio and won the European Championships. Last month he took the world title in London.
Jonnie, awarded an MBE in 2013, had his right leg amputated below the knee after a nearfatal bout of meningitis, aged five.
He is now being touted as Strictly’s next Harry Judd, who won the BBC One series in 2012. But bookies say EX-JLS star Aston Merrygold, his former X Factor rival Alexandra and The Saturdays singer Mollie King are this year’s frontrunners. Jessica Bridge, of Ladbrokes, said: “As far as punters are concerned it’s a three-horse race between Aston, Mollie and Alexandra, but early money favours the JLS star to have this year’s X factor on Strictly.”