Kaye Adams has shocked her Loose Women pals by signing up for Strictly Come Dancing – having previously said she was against the idea.
Kaye, 59, and radio host Richie Anderson today became the latest celebrities confirmed for this year’s BBC1 dance series.
It came just a month after Kaye said: “I’m quite tempted by I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! because I think I’d be good at being stoical.
“I’d prefer that to Strictly. A huge part of me would be tempted to do it but a huge part of me is just too uptight to pull it off. I couldn’t handle the sexy stuff. The thought of my own face contorting into an Argentine tango pout would wake me up in the middle of the night and give me a heart attack. The poor soul who got me as their partner would need therapy!”
The Loose Women star announced her involvement during Friday’s episode of the ITV daytime show, after Anderson, 34, was unveiled during the Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on Radio 2.
They join Coronation Street stars Will Mellor and Kym Marsh who were previously announced.
Kaye said: “I wanted to make the last year of my 50s memorable and I can’t think of a better way of doing it than showing the world my two left feet. Pray for me.”
Her fellow Loose Women panellist Denise Welch tried to reassure her by saying: “I did Dancing on Ice and it’s terrifying but it’s a wonderful experience.” Kaye confessed she is “absolutely terrified” and admitted she “can’t dance at all”.
But despite the nerves, she said she wants to embrace the opportunity, adding: “I can’t make much [more] of a fool of myself than I am.”
Kaye also hosts a morning show on BBC Radio Scotland, has presented shows on the BBC and STV, and was previously a panellist on Channel 5’s morning show The Wright Stuff.
Anderson said today Denise Welch tried to reassureit would be a “massive honour” to dance in an all-male partnership on Strictly.
He added: “This is a dream come true. I cannot wait to get in those sparkles and sequins and shimmy across the most famous dance floor in the world.
“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.
“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.”
Anderson is a regular fixture on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast show, presenting the travel bulletins, and has been a regular presenter on The One Show. He also featured in BBC1’s Platinum Jubilee coverage earlier this year.
Strictly has so far featured two same-sex pairings, with boxer Nicola Adams and Katya Jones dancing together in 2020 and Johannes Radebe and The Great British Bake Off’s John Whaite in the final last year.
Marsh, who rose to fame in pop band Hear’Say, and Two Pints of Lager and a Packet Of Crisps actor Mellor, both 46, were unveiled as contestants on BBC Breakfast on Thursday.
Four new professional dancers will appear in the new series of Strictly, creating the show’s largest ever roster.
It comes after two-time winner Oti Mabuse and Aljaz Skorjanec announced their departures.
The forthcoming 20th series will bring live audiences back into the studio, with the spectacular launch show scheduled to be recorded on September 7.
