First celebrity contestant for Strictly Come Dancing 2016 confirmed
Former MP Ed Balls is the first celebrity contestant to be confirmed for the brand new series of Strictly Come Dancing, BBC One’s BAFTA Award-winning entertainment series where celebrities take to the dance floor each week to perform a dazzling display of ballroom routines.
Published: 8 August 2016
I'd like to say I'm just really excited about learning to dance on TV, but the truth is I'm also scared to death.
The announcement was made this morning (Monday 8 August) on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2, where Ed confirmed the news he would be participating in the new series himself live in the studio.
“I'd like to say I'm just really excited about learning to dance on TV, but the truth is I'm also scared to death. Making a speech in Parliament seems a piece of cake compared to this, but hopefully I can stick around for a couple of weeks, and have a lot of fun in the process. Strictly is a firm favourite in our living room, and it feels like a dream to be going on myself, especially for Len's last series. I'm just hoping it doesn't turn into a nightmare too quickly!” said Ed.
The 49 year-old former politician and writer is best known as the UK Shadow Chancellor from 2011-2015 and also served in the Cabinet as Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families from 2007-2010.
Since leaving Parliament, Ed became a visiting professor of King's College London, a Senior Fellow at Harvard University, and was appointed Chairman of his hometown football club Norwich City plus earlier this year, he appeared on The Great Sport Relief Bake Off.
More celebrity contestants for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing will be announced in due course.
Notes to Editors
Produced by BBC Studios, Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One for its 14th series in September 2016.
BBC Studios is the BBC’s main TV production arm, producing award-winning, bold, British, creative content across TV and digital platforms. BBC Studios create a wide range of programming across drama, comedy, entertainment, music, events and factual. From Strictly Come Dancing, Doctor Who and Mrs Brown’s Boys to Glastonbury, Big Blue Live and Life And Death Row, BBC Studios' programmes are renowned for their quality and are valued by audiences around the world.
With bases in London, Bristol, Birmingham, Salford, Cardiff, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dumbarton and Belfast, BBC Studios reflects and represents the diverse voices and creative talent from around the UK.
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