Now Kaye and Richie waltz into the line-up for Strictly
STRICTLY Come Dancing’s first all-male couple came within touching distance of the glitterball trophy last year.
And BBC radio 2 presenter richie Anderson will be dreaming of going one step further as he becomes the show’s third celebrity to perform in a same-sex couple.
He was announced yesterday alongside Loose Women panellist Kaye Adams as the latest celebrities in this year’s competition – joining ex-Coronation Street stars Kym Marsh and Will Mellor, who were revealed on Thursday.
Mr Anderson, who reads the travel news on several radio 2 shows, said performing on Strictly was a ‘dream come true’ and that he ‘cannot wait to get in those sparkles and sequins’.
‘Strictly is the ultimate feel-good show. As soon as I hear that iconic theme tune it’s just pure escapism,’ the presenter, who also covers stories on The One Show, said. ‘I’m going to have to cancel my legendary Strictly launch night kitchen party that I throw every year. I’m sure my friends and family will understand.’
Miss Adams was revealed as this year’s fourth Strictly celebrity on ITV’s Loose Women yesterday. She explained that she wanted to make ‘the last year of her 50s memorable’, joking that she couldn’t think of ‘a better way of doing it than showing the world my two left feet’.
Great British Bake Off star John Whaite made history in Strictly’s first-ever male pairing with South African dancer Johannes radebe. The couple made it to last year’s grand final but were beaten by EastEnders star rose AylingEllis and Giovanni Pernice. The show’s first same-sex couple came in 2020 when Olympic boxer Nicola Adams danced with Katya Jones.
Head judge Shirley Ballas will return to the judging panel with Motsi Mabuse and Craig revel Horwood for the 20th series starting next month. Anton Du Beke will join them, having permanently taken over from Bruno Tonioli.