The 17th series of the NTA and BAFTA award-winning entertainment show produced by BBC Studios will return in the autumn on BBC One putting the sparkle back into Saturday and Sunday nights.
Alex Scott MBE is the twelfth celebrity contestant confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2019
Alex is a sports pundit, presenter and former professional footballer.
Alex said: “I am absolutely buzzing to be signed up to Strictly. It’s the show I’ve always wanted to do and I can’t believe I’m finally going to be part of it. I’m super excited, but also terrified at the same time… The football pitch is a bit less glam than the ballroom, but I’m ready to try the sequins and dresses! Bring it on!”
The former Arsenal Captain is a well-regarded pundit for BBC and Sky Sports and a regular on BBC’s Match of the Day.
Alex signed with Arsenal aged eight and stayed with the team for most of her career. Alex helped the club achieve a domestic double of the FA Women’s Cup and the FA Women’s Premier League. She was also a key figure in the historic quadruple season for Arsenal in which they won all their trophy competitions. Alex then led the team as captain for the 2014/15 season. While playing for England, Alex travelled the world playing football, also representing Great Britain in the 2016 Olympics in Rio. When she retired in 2017, Alex was the second most capped England player with 140 appearances.
Since her retirement in 2018, Alex has begun a successful broadcasting career. Alex is a key member of BBC Sport’s football broadcasting team and has become a regular face for Sky Sports football coverage. Alex made history last August as the first female Sky Pundit on a Sky Sports’ Super Sunday and made waves as a fresh addition to the BBC World Cup Commentary line up.
Dev Griffin is the thirteenth celebrity contestant confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2019
Dev Griffin is a radio presenter and DJ.
Dev said: “I just can’t believe I’m doing Strictly, it just doesn’t feel real yet! It’s going to be so much fun, but just to be clear, I’m not doing this to take part, I’m totally in it to win it! I can’t wait to meet my partner and start practicing.”
Best known for presenting on BBC Radio 1, Dev began his career in children’s television on BBC Two every Sunday morning as a presenter and DJ to millions of young people. His undeniable popularity led to him hosting his own show on BBC’s 1Xtra and was soon fast tracked to BBC Radio 1. Dev did a long stint hosting early breakfast, warming the nation up for then host Chris Moyles who was later succeeded by Nick Grimshaw. Dev later moved to host the much-coveted Weekend breakfast show before taking over the now hugely popular weekend afternoon shows on Radio 1 from 1-4pm with Alice Levine.
He has also competed on Celebrity MasterChef, getting through to the final, as well as hosting BAFTA TV Awards and most recently appearing on Channel 4’s SAS Who Dares Wins for Stand Up To Cancer.
James Cracknell OBE is the fourteenth celebrity contestant confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2019
James Cracknell OBE, is a former rowing World Champion.
James said, “I’m really looking forward to being a part of Strictly this year. Having spent so many years mucking around in a rowing boat with big men in tight lycra, it’s time I learned a new skill. I need to apologise to my kids in advance for the embarrassment.”
A former rowing World Champion and double Olympic Gold Medallist, James won Olympic Gold in both the 2000 Sydney Games alongside Steve Redgrave & Matthew Pinsent and the 2004 Athens Games.
Since retiring James has carried out dangerous and gruelling challenges including The Race Across the Atlantic, where he and Ben Fogle finished first, and the Yukon Arctic Ultra, cycling over 430 miles in the race across the frozen Alaskan countryside becoming the highest placed Briton ever finishing 12th.
In 2010, James attempted to cross America by cycling, running, rowing and swimming in record time. It was during this trip that James suffered a near fatal accident after being struck from behind by a truck while cycling through Arizona. After a difficult six-month recovery period, James went to the Canadian Yukon, completing The Coldest Race on Earth.
James is the BBC’s commentator for Rowing, and was heavily involved in the coverage for the Rio Olympics in 2016. He has more recently become the oldest ever Boat Race champion at 46 as part of Cambridge University’s crew as they rowed to victory at the 165th Boat Race. He has also just finished studying for his Masters in Philosophy from Cambridge University.
Anneka Rice is the fifteenth celebrity contestant confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2019
Anneka is an award-winning broadcaster.
Anneka said: “I haven’t danced since I was 7 and Miss Beer sent me home from my ballet class because I was hopelessly uncoordinated. My family and friends haven’t seen me dance since, not at a wedding or round a handbag so it’s going to be a challenge for my partner. In fact I’ve asked for two, one on each side. I can’t see myself in a long frilly dress either. But I’m feeling recklessly excited. Strictly has always been my Autumn’s entertainment and now I’m part of it! My children will probably leave the country”.
Anneka Rice shot to fame in this country as the Sky-Runner in Channel 4’s “Treasure Hunt”.
She also presented Sporting Chance, TVAM, Driving Force, Wish You Were Here, Capital Woman, Combat, Holiday, Hell’s Kitchen, The Royal Variety Performance and numerous other shows. She went on to devise the award-winning “Challenge Anneka” for BBC One, shining a spotlight on issues like disability, homelessness and animal welfare and has raised millions of pounds worth of supplies and services for charities and communities.
Her radio work includes the Radio 2 Saturday Breakfast Show which she presented for six years; Pick of the Week, Friday Night is Music Night, The Arts Show, Sunday Love Songs, Loose Ends, and the award-winning podcast Fortunately.
She is a Patron of Operation Encompass, Help for Heroes and Horatio’s Garden.
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