NEW STEPS FOR FAYE
From East Boldon to the ballroom – Steps star Faye Tozer has been confirmed as one of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing celebrity contestants.
The singer, who lives with her family in the South Tyneside village, was unveiled alongside Red Dwarf actor Danny John-Jules as the second and third contestants for the new series of the BBC One prime-time show.
The pair appeared on The One Show to announce that they had signed up for the BBC programme.
Both were stood behind a screen before presenters Alex Jones and Matt Baker revealed their identities.
The pair join Katie Piper, who was the first celebrity revealed to be hitting the dancefloor.
Faye, 42, who played the Good Fairy in the Sunderland Empire’s 2016 panto Sleeping Beauty, said she was relieved that the secret was out, saying: “I’ve lied to so many people!” She said she was looking forward to the glitz and glamour.
“I am all about the costumes,” she said.
“The huge hair, the makeup, the themed nights!”
Discussing her previous dance experience, Faye said a few of this year’s contestants were not new to dancing.
“It’s what makes it an interesting competition,” she said.
Danny, 57, confessed to feeling daunted when he saw that Faye was also in the running for the Glitterball trophy.
He said the competition was “already nerve-wracking”.
But the actor, a keen motorcyclist, said he was excited about getting started.
“Having spent the last few months on two wheels motorcycling around South America in pink leathers, I’m absolutely delighted to be getting back on two feet and into something more comfortable like glittery spandex,” he said.
The identity of the remaining contestants in this year’s series of the dancing competition will be revealed over the coming days.
Other stars tipped to be donning their dancing shoes for the show this year include Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts and radio host Vick Hope.
The new series, believed to be starting in early September, will see presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman return, along with judges Shirley Ballas, Bruno Tonioli, Dame Darcey Bussell and Craig Revel Horwood.
“The huge hair, the make-up, the themed nights” FAYE TOZER