FAYE SET TO LEARN NEW STEPS
Steps star Faye Tozer has said she is thrilled to finally get a chance to shine on hit TV show Strictly Come Dancing.
The 42-year-old, who rose to fame in the 90s as a singer in band Steps, has been selected as one of the celebrities in this year’s series line-up.
Faye has made East Boldon her home, having settled there with her family – Sunderland-born husband Michael Smith and son Benjamin.
The pair married in 2009 at Beamish Hall, in County Durham, and welcomed their son later that year.
Speaking at the launch of Strictly Come Dancing in London, the pop star told the Press Association of her joy at being picked for the show.
She said: “I feel over the moon that they have let me come in.
“It’s incredible. It’s just like the most amazing journey that you could imagine if you are in the business.
“So for me it’s all the dresses, the costumes, the themes, getting to dance with a partner, learning a new skill.
It’s just a beautiful show to be on.”
The event at the BBC was attended by this year’s crop of contestants, judges Bruno Tonioli, Shirley Ballas, Darcey Bussell and Craig Revel-Horwood, presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, and the professional dancers.
The other celebrities taking part in the show include actor Charles Venn, singer Ashley Roberts, newsreader Kate Silverton, comedian Seann Walsh, documentary presenter Stacey Dooley, This Morning’s Dr Ranj Singh and TV presenter Katie Piper.
Faye, who now calls Sunderland her home city, is a patron of South Shields charity The Charlie Cookson Foundation, which was launched in honour of Charlie, who died aged 30 months in October 2013 after fighting an undiagnosed condition.
She is also a patron of Josie’s Dragonfly Trust, which works to make a difference in the lives of young cancer patients with limited time.
In 2016 Faye sprinkled Christmas magic across Wearside when she appeared as the Good Fairy in the Sunderland Empire’s pantomime Sleeping Beauty and also helped switch on the city’s festive light display.
Steps have sold more than 20 million records and reunited in 2011 hit Sky Living TV shows Steps – The Reunion and On the Road again.
The new series of Strictly Come Dancing will kick off on Saturday, September 8.
“I feel over the moon that they have let me come in” FAYE TOZER