STRICTLY

JUDGE AND JEWRY

THE SPARKLE, spotlight and sequins of Strictly Come Dancing will feature three Jewish celebrities this year, with Lesley Joseph, Robert Rinder and Daisy Lowe due to take part in the show.

The contestants will be hoping to follow in the dance steps of Natasha Kaplinsky, the TV presenter who won the first series of the BBC programme in 2004.

Ms Joseph, best-known for her role as man-eating neighbour Dorien Green in the sitcom Birds of Feather, will be the oldest ever female Strictly entrant.

The 70-year-old mother-of-two, who has also starred in the West End musicals Annie and Calen

dar Girls, said Strictly was “an iconic show”.

“I have always loved the glamour, the dedication and the entertainment.

“I am scared and excited and apprehensive and thrilled to be a part of this wonderful show and I will try my best and enjoy this amazing experience.”

Mr Rinder will also be prepared to face the music, with the criminal barrister having hosted 280 episodes of his ITV reality court show Judge Rinder.

The lawyer, whose 2013 wedding was officiated by Oscar-nominated actor Benedict Cumberbatch, said that he agreed to take part in the programme because his grandmother is a Strictly fan.

“The only thing I knew would make my grandmother more proud than watching my TV courtroom was to see me dressed up in white tie doing the foxtrot,” he said. “So, although I suspect the latter will be far more difficult, I am doing Strictly Come Dancing for her.”

The 38-year-old, from Southgate, in north London, regularly throws people out of the courtroom on his show.

“No doubt the judges will be as fair, kind and thoughtful as me,” he said.

Daisy Lowe has modelled for Chanel, Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton and appeared in this year’s Absolutely Fab

ulous film, but said nothing had prepared her for the Strictly limelight. “I am used to being on the catwalk and campaigns of major fashion brands with lots of eyes on me, but this is completely different from anything I have ever done before,” the 27-year-old said.

Ms Lowe, who has been photographed for Vogue,

Elle, and GQ, is the daughter of singer and designer Pearl Lowe and Bush lead singer Gavin Rossdale. Her participation in the show was partly for them, she said. “My family and friends and I adore

Strictly, so when the chance came up to take part, I jumped at it. I am itching to get started and am so looking forward to learning a new skill.”

The new dancers will also seek to imitate Rachel Stevens, the former S Club 7 singer who came second in 2008.

But they will try to avoid the pitfalls encountered by Esther Rantzen, the TV presenter who came eighth in the show’s second series in 2005.

When the chance came up to take part I jumped at it. I’m itching to start.’ Daisy Lowe

Strictly Come Dancing begins on BBC One on September 3