KATIE PIPER
STRICTLY COME DANCING BBC1
I couldn’t use my real name for months. My code name was Brie. Everyone was cheese.
KATIE Piper says she is “really proud” to be taking part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing – 10 years after being the victim of an acid attack.
The former model, who yesterday was confirmed as a contestant for the 16th series of the hit BBC show, was injured in an assault arranged by her former partner.
She was left partially blind, with severe scarring to her face, chest, neck, arm and hands after sulphuric acid was thrown in her face.
Now a TV presenter, author and campaigner, who supports acid attack survivors through her charity the Katie Piper Foundation, the 34-year-old has undergone more than 250 operations over the past decade.
Katie, who was nominated for a Bafta for her 2010 documentary Katie: My Beautiful Face, said: “It gives a wider message that my past and the way I look is irrelevant and I’m able to go forward and do these things.
“That’s something I’m really proud of. From a personal point of view, it’s so refreshing to be doing something so light-hearted and fun.”
Katie, who married Richard Sutton in 2015 and is a mum of two daughters – Belle, four, and Penelope, who was born last December – admitted she’s nervous about taking to the dancefloor.
She said: “I feel so privileged and excited to be taking part in my favourite show on TV. “I already know how much of an amazing experience it will be for me and I can’t wait to show my girls some of my new dance moves.
“I’m nervous to put on my dancing shoes but can’t wait to learn a new skill and have the Strictly tan and makeover.”
Katie hopes she’ll be partnered with Giovanni Pernice but is concerned that she has no natural rhythm.
She added: “I’ve faced challenges in my life before, so I’m going to try and apply the psychological mindset to it.
“Even if I don’t last long, I’ll come away knowing something that I didn’t before, and that’s a bonus.”
Katie admitted Richard thought she was joking when she told him she was on the show.
She also revealed she had to keep her lips sealed about the identity of the other contestants. Katie said: “I actually don’t know anything. When there are leaks I’m like, ‘Oh wow, I wonder if they’re in it?’
“It’s so secretive and when you turn up to the reception at the BBC, you can’t say what you’re there for and why. I couldn’t even use my own name for months. I had a code name – Brie. Everyone was cheese.”
Another star confirmed yesterday was Red Dwarf’s Danny John-Jules.
He said: “Having spent the last few months on two wheels motorcycling around South America in pink leathers, I’m delighted to be getting back on two feet and into something more comfortable like glittery spandex.”
Steps’ Faye Tozer has also been confirmed, while others tipped to be donning their dancing shoes include Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts, BBC newsreader Kate Silverton, This Morning’s Dr Ranj, Capital Radio DJ Vick Hope, Blue‘s Lee Ryan, YouTuber Joe Suggs and former England cricketer Graeme Swann.