Molly Rainford is the latest star to be announced for Strictly 2022
(Picture: Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)Molly Rainford has been announced as the tenth contestant to join Strictly Come Dancing when it kicks off next month.
The participation of the singer and actress, who will be strutting her stuff on the BBC One ballroom show alongside the likes of Will Mellor, Kym Marsh and Kaye Adams, was officially confirmed on Wednesday.
Strictly’s official Twitter posted: "Say hello to Molly Rainford, she’s an intergalactic pop superstar from @CBBC and she’s here to star on #Strictly!"
Upon the news being announced, Molly, 21, said: "I’m so excited to be part of Strictly Come Dancing.
"I’ve watched it for years and can’t wait to meet the pros and the others taking part! I can’t wait to learn the moves and get dancing!"
Rainford rose to fame on Britain’s Got Talent in 2012 at the age of 11, when she became the youngest ever finalist on the ITV show.
Say hello to Molly Rainford, she's an intergalactic pop superstar from @CBBC and she's here to star on #Strictly! 💃
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) August 10, 2022
👉https://t.co/8IqHH6MDfH @mollyrainford pic.twitter.com/dBPcN42vJW
Soon after her appearance, BGT boss Simon Cowell and Sony Music awarded her with their first ever drama school scholarship to the internationally renowned Sylvia Young Theatre School.
Since graduating, she's been starring in the lead role as intergalactic pop superstar Nova Jones in the hit CBBC show Nova Jones.
She has also been shortlisted for best newcomer at the 2022 Variety Club Showbusiness Awards and released two EP’s, including single Commitment, which has had more than two million streams to date.
The star's announcement as the 10th contestant to have signed up to the show, comes after Ted Lasso actress Ellie Taylor revealed she would be the ninth celeb gunning for the Glitter Ball on ITV’s Lorraine on Tuesday.
The comedian said: “Well, cover me in fake tan and roll me in sequins. I'm absolutely over the moon to be a part of Strictly 2022.
“I've watched the show for years so to be able to take to the dance floor is a dream come true, for both me and mum who is a Strictly super fan.
"At the moment I'm focusing on the excitement and glitter and choosing to ignore the fact that I have the dancing ability of a newly born giraffe. Bring it on!"
Strictly bosses revealed that the launch show will be recorded on September 7.
It’s likely to hit our screens on Saturday, September 10 with presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly taking the reins again.
So far, the celebrities confirmed, including Taylor and Rainford, are: Will Mellor, Kym Marsh, Richie Anderson, Kaye Adams, Jayde Adams, Ellie Simmonds, Tyler West and Matt Goss.
