CBBC presenter Hamza Yassin has been announced as the 13th contestant to join the Strictly Come Dancing 2022 line-up.
The Animal Park and Countryfile guest host, who lives in the Scottish Highlands, joins Kaye Adams as part of the latest crop of celebrity contestants who are set to take to the dancefloor.
Strictly Come Dancing will samba back onto our screens in just over a month’s time. The BBC One show is expected to record its first episode on Wednesday September 7, which will air the following Saturday September 10.
A big shake-up to the line-up looms, including newly permanent judge Anton du Beke - who will replace Bruno Tonioli and sit alongside Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse. There will also be four new professionals after Oti Mabuse and Alijaz Škorjanec quit.
Hamza said: “I am absolutely over the moon to be joining Strictly 2022. Never in a million years did I think I’d be on such a cool show. I’ve been watching it for years and I can’t believe I’ll actually be there dancing live in front of the British public. My dance skills are currently at the level of ‘1970’s disco vibe’ but I’m ready to work hard and will be shaking it every time I get the chance – shake it ‘til you make it!”
Hamza is one of the presenters of BBC’s Animal Park and a guest presenter on BBC’s Countryfile where he shares his vast knowledge and camera skills.
He is well known to younger viewers under the guise of Ranger Hamza, presenting CBeebies live-action show Let’s Go For A Walk and new series Ranger Hamza’s Eco Quest later this month.
Hamza moved to the Scottish Highlands when he was younger to follow his dream of filming Scottish wildlife and becoming a wildlife cameraman. He has lived there ever since and recently fronted Channel 4 documentary Scotland: My Life in the Wild and Scotland: Escape to the Wilderness, in which he guided celebrity companions on journeys through western and eastern Scotland and the Highlands.
In his spare time, Hamza competes in the Highland Games and enjoys riding the country roads on his motorbike.
Hamza joins Will Mellor, Kym Marsh, Richie Anderson, Kaye Adams, Jayde Adams, Ellie Simmonds, Tyler West, Matt Goss, Ellie Taylor, Molly Rainford, Tony Adams and Fleur East in our line-up for 2022.
This season is set to be thrilling, with special guests and fun tributes for the 100th anniversary BBC celebration, making for must-see TV. And some will be able to see the pros up close even sooner, with lucky fans in for the chance to see the pro dancers performing a group number with “special guests” on August 24.
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