BBC One - Strictly Come Dancing, Series 12

Fact title	Fact data
Age	29
Profession	Former rugby player and model
Partner	Iveta Lukosiute

Former Scotland international Thom Evans has swapped the rugby ball for the Strictly Glitterball, and aren’t we glad!

I do like the musical theme week. I’ve always wanted to be in musicals since I was a kid, but playing rugby I had to keep that quiet.
Thom Evans

Thom started playing rugby at school and played for England at Under 16, 18 and 21 levels. After school he played for the London Wasps and in 2006 he moved to the Glasgow Warriors, where he still holds the record for the most tries scored.

In 2007, Thom played for Scotland in the rugby sevens team, making his debut for Scotland in the rugby union team the following year. Then disaster struck; whilst playing against Wales in the 2010 Six Nations, he suffered a severe neck injury when colliding with another player. After four months of rehabilitation, sadly Thom was advised to retire from rugby.

But it isn’t just rugby Thom has turned his talents to. In 2004, he took an unusual gap year from the sport and joined his friend’s boyband Twen2y4se7en! They released two singles and even supported McFly. (We wonder if Harry’s shared any tips on how to bag the Glitterball Trophy.)

Thom also took part in a French artistic nude calendar shoot called ‘Gods of the Stadium’ and has most recently modelled swimwear so he should feel right at home in Strictly’s tight and skimpy costumes! But will he tackle his dance routines as well as his wardrobe? And what should be his penalty if there’s any foul play?