BBC Radio 2 presenter and ex-footballer Richie Anderson will be trading football boots for dancing shoes this year, as he was the third celebrity confirmed for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
He makes Strictly history as only the third contestant to be in a same-sex dancing partnership.
Boxer Nicola Adams was the first in 2020 with her pro Katya Jones.
In 2021, Bake Off star John Whaite made it to the final two with Strictly treasure Johannes Radebe.
The show’s producers were said to be eager to feature more same-sex couples in the competition.
The announcement was made on Radio 2 this morning.
“I’m going to have to cancel my legendary Strictly launch night kitchen party that I throw every year, I’m sure my friends and family will understand,” he joked.
Anderson continued: “It’s also a massive honour to be part of an all-male dance partnership, it’s so important we have that inclusion on such a huge show.”
Can’t believe I’m typing this 🥺
I’M GOING TO BE ON STRICTLY COME DANCING 2022 💃🏻🕺🎩🌈🪩
My dream has come true ❤️ I can’t wait to get in the Iconic ballroom. Good luck to my pro partner as my dancing skills have previously been compared to Bambi on ice 😂 bring it on 💥 https://t.co/PcdWLS5nUl
— Richie Anderson (@richie_anderson) August 5, 2022
He also tweeted a heartfelt message to his 25,000 Twitter followers.
“My dream has come true,” he said. “I can’t wait to get in the Iconic ballroom. Good luck to my pro partner as my dancing skills have previously been compared to Bambi on ice.”
The presenter rose to fame in 2018 when he came out to his teammates in a documentary investigating homophobia in sport.
He presented travel reports on BBC Radio 2, and occasionally appeared on The One Show.
Anderson is joined by Will Mellor and Kym Marsh, who were the first two celebrities confirmed to take to the dance floor earlier this week.
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