Ellie Simmonds has been announced as the sixth celebrity contestant taking part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing.
The paralympic swimmer, 27, who has a type of dwarfism called achondroplasia and is a height of 4ft, is the first with the genetic condition to appear on the show.
Ellie will be joining already announced stars Kym Marsh, Will Mellor, Richie Anderson and Jayde Adams on series 20 later this year.
Line-up: Ellie Simmonds has been announced as the sixth celebrity contestant taking part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing
Speaking after the announcement on BBC 5 Live Sunday Breakfast, the athlete said: 'Oh my gosh!! I'm literally bursting with excitement!!
'It's been so hard keeping this secret as I've wanted to tell everyone. I'm going on Strictly Come Dancing!! I'm a tad nervous too, well more than a tad… I'm absolutely petrified!
'To be asked to be part of the Strictly family is just so exciting and I cannot wait, it's going to so much fun. I'm counting down the minutes until it starts; learning to dance, meeting my partner and everyone else involved in the show.
'Plus wearing the sequins and all that, It's going to be a blast. I've been watching Strictly from as far back as I can remember; it's a traditional lead up to Christmas with my family and it's a genuine privilege to be part of it.'
New venture: The paralympic swimmer, 27, will be joining already announced stars Kym Marsh, Will Mellor, Richie Anderson and Jayde Adams on series 20 later this year (pictured at the London 2012 paralympic games)
Ellie is best known as a gold medal-winning Paralympic swimmer. At the age of thirteen she was the youngest British athlete at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, and won gold medals in the 100m and 400m freestyle events.
In 2012 she achieved gold in the 400m freestyle and the 200m Individual Medley at the Summer Paralympics in London and won a further gold in the 200m Individual Medley at Rio 2016.
In addition, she has also won ten gold World Championship titles.
At the age of 13 she won BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year and a year later, at just 14 years old, she became the youngest person ever receive an MBE.
Ellie said: 'I'm going on Strictly Come Dancing!! I'm a tad nervous too, well more than a tad… I'm absolutely petrified!' (pictured with Kelly Holmes in August 2022)
She was elevated to OBE in the 2013 New Year Honours for services to Paralympic sport.
After retiring from competitive swimming in 2020, Ellie has gone on to present for BBC Sport, most recently for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, as well as making documentaries such as Ellie Simmonds: A World Without Dwarfism? for BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
She is set to explore disability and adoption in a recently announced ITV film.
Success: Ellie is best known as a gold medal-winning Paralympic swimmer. At the age of thirteen she was the youngest British athlete at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, and won gold medals in the 100m and 400m freestyle events
It comes after Jayde Adams was announced as the fifth contestant to sign up to Strictly Come Dancing 2022.
The comedian and actress, 37 said that keeping the secret hidden had been like 'torture', but that she was a 'massive fan' of the show, as she joked appearing on the beloved show was her main career goal.
She said: 'Since I watched the first series in 2004, I feel like every step I've taken in my career over the last 11 years was to be on Strictly.
'I cannot begin to express the emotions I am feeling, this means so much to me and my family. I've always watched it, apart from a brief hiatus in 2011 as I was relentlessly gigging every weekend (to try and get on Strictly).
'I've been a massive fan of the show for years. I feel like I'm watching myself in a dream and I can't believe I've manifested this.
She added: 'Holding this in has been torture for me!'
Big fan: Jayde Adams has been announced as the fifth contestant to sign up to Strictly Come Dancing 2022
Best known as a comedian, Jayde has won several comedy awards and was nominated for the coveted Best Newcomer with her Edinburgh Fringe debut stand-up hour.
The news was revealed on Saturday morning on BBC Radio 5 Live by Scott Mills and Chris Stark.
Kaye Adams was revealed as the fourth contestant on the series, making the exciting announcement live on Friday's Loose Women on ITV.
Kaye stunned her fellow panelists Denise Welch, Carol McGiffin and Sunetra Sarker - as well as Nadia Sawalha who appeared via video link - with the news towards the end of the show, with the studio welcoming a plethora of dancers.
It's official! Kaye Adams has been announced as the fourth contestant to sign up to Strictly Come Dancing 2022
While panelists in the studio were thrilled at the announcement, Nadia was left visibly shocked and emotional, telling her friend: 'Is It actually you?! Oh my God. I could cry!'
'It's amazing you can do it because let's face it, you can't dance, but that's what we like to see on Strictly - somebody learn to dance. You're going to be incredible, you're so funny, you've got the best legs in the business. I can't wait to get home and cha cha cha with you!'
Revealing how she felt about taking part, Kaye admitted: 'It's me! I'm absolutely terrified because I can't dance. I could think of a million reasons not to do this'.
The journalist went on: 'When these gorgeous dancers came on, I nearly exited from both ends of my body, honestly. Sorry about that!
Surprise! The Scottish TV star, 59, made the exciting announcement live on Friday's Loose Women on ITV after keeping it a secret from her co-stars
'But I thought, 'Am I going to be thinking at the end of September I wish I'd done this'. I'm 59, 60 at the end of this year and I was like, 'Well, why not?'
'I'm a really competitive person and Nadia, you know that's true but in this I'm not. If I enjoy myself, I'll be so happy.'
She added her daughters were not too fussed with the new as they simply told her: 'Okay mum'.
Kaye follows in the footsteps of fellow Loose Women stars Judi Love, Ruth Langsford and Christine Lampard who have all taken part in Strictly.
The secret's out! Kaye stunned her fellow panelists Denise Welch, Carol McGiffin and Sunetra Sarker - as well as Nadia Sawalha who appeared via video link - with the news towards, with the studio welcoming a plethora of dancers
Meanwhile, BBC Radio 2 DJ Richie Anderson, 34, revealed he will be joining the 2022 series during his radio show on Friday, and joins Coronation Street stars Will Mellor and Kym Marsh in the current line-up.
The former Sunday League footballer - who went viral in 2018 when he came out as gay to his teammates at Coombs Wood F.C in an emotional documentary - said that it's a 'massive honour' to be part of the show's all-male partnership.
He said in a release: '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! Strictly is the ultimate feel good show, as soon as I hear that iconic theme tune it's just pure escapism.
'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.'
He added: '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.'
Chuffed: The former Sunday League footballer said that it's a 'massive honour' to be part of the show's all-male partnership
Last year's series saw Great British Bake Off star John Waite form the show's first all-male partnership with pro Johannes Radebe - with the couple reaching the final.
The year before saw the show's first ever same-sex pairing as boxer Nicola Adams was paired up with Katya Jones - however the duo had to withdraw from the competition in week three after Katya caught Covid.
In 2018, Richie famously came out as gay to his Sunday league football teammates during a feature for The One Show exploring homophobia in the sport.
The team knew Richie was filming a piece for the daily BBC One programme, but it wasn't until he sat them down in the locker room after the match that they discovered he was looking into the issues around being gay in grassroots football.
Candid: In 2018, Richie famously came out as gay to his Sunday league football teammates during a feature for The One Show exploring homophobia in the sport
Talented: Last year's series saw Great British Bake Off star John Waite form the show's first all-male partnership with pro Johannes Radebe - with the couple reaching the final
On Thursday, the first two stars for Strictly were announced, with actor Will and soap favourite Kym joining the lineup.
The Coronation Street actress and the Two Pints Of Lager and A Packet Of Crisps star, both 46, were unveiled on Thursday's BBC Breakfast, with Kym revealing she's wanted to join the show for 'a number of years.'
She said: 'I've considered doing Strictly for years but the timings never worked out. I'm so delighted that this year they have!
'I'm a huge fan of the show and can't believe I'm going to go from watching at home in my pyjamas to actually dancing in front of the judges in a glittery dress, it's unreal!'
At last! The first two stars for Strictly Come Dancing were announced on Thursday, with actor Will Mellor (right) and soap favourite Kym Marsh (left) joining the lineup
Speaking on Breakfast, Kym admitted she hadn't told her Morning Live co-host Gethin Jones about taking part in the show, despite him previously taking part in 2007.
She said: 'I was joking with him and I said ''were you on Strictly because you've never mentioned it!'' I think he was always asking me if I was going to do it, and he kept going on about it again over the next few months, and of course I've not spoken to him and I'll probably get a message later saying ''you never told me!''
Speaking via Zoom, Kym revealed that her parents were both hiding behind a curtain while she took part in the interview, and they were even more excited to see her take to the dancefloor.
The actress, who rose to fame as a star of the band Hearsay, added she's open to learning the new dance styles, as they will be a stark contrast to her pop star days.
Here she is! Former Coronation Street star Kym was unveiled as the second contestant on Thursday's BBC Breakfast
Soap favourite: Kym is best known for playing Michelle Connor on Coronation Street from 2006 to 2019
She continued: 'I'm just very keen to learn watching it, I've done dancing before when I was a little girl, and when I was in Hearsay, my husband is very excited about me being able to teach him, so we can do it when we go to the balls.
'Any of them really, just to learn how to dance properly would be brilliant.'
Asked whether she'll fear the harsh critiques of Craig Revel Horwood and the rest of the judging panel, Kym added: 'I was judged by Nasty Nigel in Popstars don't forget that, he was the villain back in the day!
'These are the people I truly respect, this is what they do, I'm just going to have to suck it up I guess, you've just to take it on the chin.'
Kym is best known for playing Michelle Connor in Coronation Street from 2006 to 2019, and since October 2020 has co-hosted BBC's Morning Live.
Determined: Asked whether she'll fear the harsh critiques of Craig Revel Horwood and the rest of the judging panel, Kym added: 'I was judged by Nasty Nigel in Popstars don't forget that'
Kym's unveiling came after fellow Corrie star Will was unveiled as the first contestant earlier in the show, with the actor saying he's signed up to bring some joy to his mother after a 'tough time' for his family.
He said: 'I'm honestly so chuffed to be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this year! Not going to lie, it's totally out of my comfort zone and I know it will be a huge challenge but that's what life is all about.
'This is also my Mum's favourite show and she's had a really tough few years so I'm doing this is for her as well. Bring it on!'
Following a series of clues alluding to his previous acting roles, Will was unveiled as the first Strictly star during the Breakfast show, and said he agreed to join the show after vowing to 'grab life' following his father's death in 2020.
First big star! Kym's unveiling came after fellow Corrie star Will was unveiled as the first contestant earlier in the show
He told Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt: 'Excited is one word for it, terrified is another, that's one of the reasons I'm doing it, it's stepping out of my comfort zone.
'When I said yes to doing it, it was a long way away, but it's going a bit closer it starts settling in and it gets a bit frightening now.'
Will added that he has already told his two children he would be joining the show, adding he wanted their blessing to take part over fears he could embarrass them.
He added: 'I had to tell my kids, because I had to ask if it was alright, they're 18 and 14, I'm not going to do anything they find mortifying, they're OK. It's something that I've never done before.'
Will also revealed that he decided to join the show after vowing to 'grab life and create new memories,' and said he wanted to bring some positivity for his mother following his dad's death in 2020, two weeks after being diagnosed with cancer.
He said: 'I lost my dad in 2020, and from then I thought I've just got to grab life and do things and create new memories, and that'sone of the reasons I said yes.
Tragic: He said he signed up for the show to bring some joy for his mum, after his beloved father Bill passed away from cancer in 2020
'Because she's had such a tough time of it I wanted to give her something to look forward to, she lost my dad and her brother and brother-in-law and sister in a year and it was a really tough time for the family. I think mentally it will be good for me as well.'
While he is best known for playing Gaz Wilkinson on the BBC comedy Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps, Will has also had roles in Holby City, Broadchurch and more recently, drug lord boss Harvey Gaskell in 2021.
It comes after the launch date for this year's Strictly was revealed as Wednesday September 7, when the series will film a pre-recorded launch show which sees this year's celebrity contestants paired up with their professional partners.
Strictly bosses released a statement confirming the date while inviting fans to apply for tickets, with launch set to air on BBC One later that month.
They wrote: 'Dust off your dancing shoes, Strictly Come Dancing is back!
Return: It comes after the launch date for this year's Strictly was revealed as Wednesday September 7 (Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly pictured)
'The stunning 20th series returns, bringing glamour and show-stopping dancing back to Saturday nights on BBC One – and we're extremely excited to be able to welcome an audience back to the studio for this year's shows.
'Hosted by the very talented and glamorous Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, the show will once again come live from Elstree Film and Television Studios.
'Registration is now open to be part of the exciting Launch Show, which is recording in advance of this year's live shows on Wednesday, September 7.'
To mark the BBC's 100th anniversary, the professional dancers will be putting on a special group routine like they have never done before.
Show: The series will film a pre-recorded launch show on this date, meaning viewers will likely see the celebrity contestants paired up with their partners the weekend of September 10 (L-R Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse)
In another statement, Strictly bosses said fans can enter a draw to watch a recording of the special performance take place on August 24.
They said: 'Strictly Come Dancing is celebrating 100 years of the BBC! The professional dancers will be throwing a party like only they know how, with a group number full of all the usual sparkle and glamour.
'There may well be a surprise or two as well, with special guests and fun tributes to some of your favourite BBC shows.'
Judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke have all been confirmed to return.
Show: To mark the BBC's 100th anniversary, the professional dancers will be putting on a special group routine like they have never done before
Meanwhile, four new pro dancers have joined the line-up, which means that 20 professionals in total are ready to bring their skills to the BBC show's dancefloor later this year - the show's biggest dancer line-up in history.
The four new world class dancers completing this year's professional troupe are European cup winner Vito Coppola, Chinese National Champion Carlos Gu, former Under 21 British National Champion Lauren Oakley and Latin dance champion Michelle Tsiakkas.
They join the professional dancers already revealed for the upcoming series: Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Cameron Lombard, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Giovanni Pernice, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington and Nancy Xu.
Show favourites Alijaz Skorjanec and Oti Mabuse both quit Strictly Come Dancing earlier this year.
Not every pro dancer will be paired with a celebrity with four traditionally performing only in the pro routines.
New faces: Strictly Come Dancing will have its biggest professional dancer line-up in history when it returns this autumn for its 20th series with four new pros joining the show
STRICTLY COME DANCING 2022: WHO ARE THE CONTESTANTS?
KYM MARSH
Age: 46
Profession: Coronation Street star and presenter
Kym says: 'I'm so delighted that this year they have! I'm a huge fan of the show and can't believe I'm going to go from watching at home in my pyjamas to actually dancing in front of the judges in a glittery dress.'
RICHIE ANDERSON
Age: 34
Profession: Radio presenter
Richie says: '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!'
WILL MELLOR
Age: 46
Profession: Actor
Will says: 'I know it will be a huge challenge but that's what life is all about. This is also my Mum's favourite show and she's had a really tough few years so I'm doing this is for her as well. Bring it on!'
KAYE ADAMS
Age: 59
Profession: Television presenter
Kaye says: 'I said I wanted to make the last year of my fifties memorable and i can’t think of a better way of doing it than showing the world my two left feet. Pray for me!'
Via Daily mail UK
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