The BBC had Strictly and Gavin and Stacey fans going wild as one of its channels announced on Twitter that Nessa from Gavin and Stacey would be joining the Strictly Come Dancing 2022's line up as the popular show's 20th celebrity contestant.
Posting the tweet in jest not long before Strictly announced that their 15th and final celebrity contestant would be television presenter and actress Helen Skelton - read more on that here - BBC Three wrote, alongside a picture of Nessa: ""Oh! What's occurring?" Nessa is bringing Barry Island to the ballroom as the 20th celebrity contestant confirmed for #Strictly 2022."
They closed the tweet with a teasing link that, sadly, did not guide people to the Strictly announcement, but to Gavin and Stacey's programme page on BBCiPlayer - perhaps teasing some other news. In a second tweet, BBC Three added: "sorry @bbcpress and @bbcstrictly our hand slipped".
Read more: Strictly Come Dancing 2022 contestants: Full line-up as stars announced
While some fans were quick to realise that this announcement was, in fact, a joke others weren't as swift in realising the cruel trick. One fan wrote: "How did I miss this news?"
Another said: "Absobloodylutely!!! Can't wait to see Ruth stepping up!", while a third commented: "Excited much. I always watch Strictly but this just made it more exciting 2 watch".
Those who caught onto the joke commented with gifs and replies showcasing their despair at being hoodwinked.
One said:
While another wrote:
Others commented with: "wish this was real", "Imagine if this was true" and "Oh Yes For sure Twinkle Toes Fred Astaire used to call me", mimicking Nessa's legendary phrasing.
The full line-up for this year's show, which was completed by the announcement of Helen Skelton joining the cohort on Saturday morning, is as follows: Helen Skelton, EastEnders star James Bye, singer Fleur East, Ted Lasso star Ellie Taylor, Bros singer Matt Goss, Kiss radio host Tyler West, Former England footballer Tony Adams and Britain's Got Talent finalist Molly Rainford.
Paralympic swimming gold medallist Ellie Simmonds joins them alongside comedian and actress Jayde Adams, Coronation Street actors Will Mellor and Kym Marsh, Loose Women star Kaye Adams, Radio 2's Richie Anderson and Wildlife cameraman and presenter Hamza Yassin.
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