From Rio to the Rumba… Team GB stars shimmy and sashay for Children in Need
Team GB Olympic medallists Helen Glover MBE, Hollie Webb, Joe Clarke and Lutalo Muhammad are to do their bit for BBC Children in Need 2016 as they join the stars of Strictly Come Dancing for the annual Appeal Night.
Published: 25 October 2016
I've always supported Children in Need and this year I'm definitely out of my comfort zone! It's an amazing opportunity to try something fun and new after the pressures of the Rio Olympics!
Announced on Tuesday 25 October on BBC Two’s Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, the Olympic stars will join Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers Janette Manrara, Karen Clifton, Pasha Kovalev and new professional dancer and World Champion, Neil Jones.
Helen Glover will dance with Pasha Kovalev, Hollie Webb will dance with Neil Jones, Joe Clarke will dance with Janette Manrara and Lutalo Muhammad will dance with Karen Clifton.
Presented by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman the special show will feature as part of the Children in Need 2016 Appeal Night on BBC One.
Helen Glover MBE is the number one female rower in the world; she is a two time Olympic champion.
Helen says: “I've always supported Children in Need and this year I'm definitely out of my comfort zone! It's an amazing opportunity to try something fun and new after the pressures of the Rio Olympics!"
Hollie Webb is a British field hockey player who scored the gold medal winning penalty at the 2016 Olympic Games.
Hollie says: “I was absolutely overjoyed when I took the call about the Strictly Children in Need Special, but then a minute later I wondered what I’d let myself in for! First and foremost, it’s for a wonderful cause, and I was honoured to be asked, I really was. Most of all, I hope to proudly represent BBC Children in Need, Team GB and my sport. Myself and my family are massive Strictly fans and we can’t wait!”
Joe Clarke is a British slalom canoeist who won the gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Joe says: “My mum has always been a big fan of the show and watches it every week, so when I won the gold medal she said, you need to make sure you get on Strictly, so when I got asked to be on the show it was an honour and something I couldn't miss and raising money in the process makes it all the more worthwhile.”
Lutalo Muhammad is a British taekwondo athlete who represented Team GB at the 2012 Olympics and 2016 Olympics where he won a silver medal.
Lutalo says: “I am so excited and I can't wait to strut my stuff and hopefully show off some fighting moves.”
The BBC Children in Need Appeal Night is on Friday 18 November 2016 live from the BBC’s Elstree Studios on BBC One. It is a BBC Studios production, executive produced by Clare Pizey and Paul Wright and the series producer is Leanne Witcoop.
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