The fifth participant in this season's Strictly Come Dancing has been revealed as comedian Jayde Adams.
She is joined by the actor's Will Mellor and Kym Marsh, Kaye Adams from Loose Women, and Richie Anderson from Radio 2.
She added in a statement, "I cannot even begin to convey the feelings I am feeling. This is really important to me and my family.
In September, the dance competition will return to BBC One.
Currently appearing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Jayde Adams is both an actress and a recipient of several comedy prizes.
She claimed that she had long been a "big admirer" of the program.
With the exception of a brief break in 2011, when she was aggressively gigging every weekend (to attempt to go on Strictly), she says, "I've always watched it."
"I can't believe I've brought this into manifestation; it feels like I'm watching myself in a dream. It has been terrible for me to keep this within!"
This year, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, and Craig Revel Horwood will all be back on the Strictly judging panel.
Anton Du Beke, who has now replaced Bruno Tonioli permanently, will rejoin them once more.
The next days will see the announcement of more contenders. The following celebrities have already been confirmed to attend:
Kym Marsh
Marsh, an actress and TV personality, now anchors BBC One's Morning Live and has had appearances in The Syndicate and Coronation Street.
She admitted on Thursday to being both anxious and excited about the event.
Marsh was a founding member of the Popstars-produced pop band Hear'Say in the early 2000s.
She stated of her participation in Strictly: "I haven't been on stage, performing in that type of fashion for a very long time, so it's going to be incredibly tough, but I'm ready for the challenge."
She jokingly said, "Listen, I was judged by Nasty Nigel in Popstars, he was the villain back in the day, so I believe I'll be good with it," when asked how she would handle criticism from the judges.
Will Mellor
The television shows Hollyoaks, Coronation Street, Casualty, and Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps all featured Mellor.
The actor expressed his happiness at participating on Strictly Come Dancing as being "honestly really delighted."
Regarding appearing on the show, Mellor told BBC Breakfast that "it's getting a little terrifying now."
He responded when asked if he had good dancing moves: "Depends on what you consider to be well. Like everyone else, I dance in the kitchen or at parties, but nothing like like what I'm doing right now; this is completely beyond of my comfort zone."
"A while back, my perspective entirely shifted, and I just felt, I've got to start doing things that worry me," he remarked.
"I lost my father in 2020, and ever since then, all I've wanted to do is grasp life by the horns. I must make fresh recollections.
When I Need You by Mellor peaked at number five on the UK singles chart in 1998.
The popular podcast Two Pints with Will and Ralf, which he co-hosts with Ralf Little, recently went on tour with him in the UK.
Richie Anderson
Richie Anderson has contributed to the station's coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest and The Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in the past. He now reads the travel segments on numerous programs across BBC Radio 2. He covers news for The One Show as well.
The host described joining Strictly as a "dream come true" and expressed his eagerness to don the glitter and sequins.
According to Anderson, "Strictly is the ultimate feel-good show; as soon as I hear that legendary theme music it's simply pure escapism."
He said, "I'm sure my friends and family will understand, but I'm going to have to cancel my renowned Strictly opening night kitchen party that I hold every year."
Following Nicola Adams and John Whaite, Anderson will be the third celebrity competitor to compete as a same-sex pair.
"I remember watching Nicola Adams do it a couple years ago and John Whaite last year, and I remember just thinking - me growing up when I was coming to terms with what I am or what I'm not - it would have been amazing for me to see something like John and Johannes and Nicola and Katya on such a big show," the man recalled.
Kaye Adams
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