Vicky Pattison has been announced as the 11th celebrity to join this year's Strictly Come Dancing line-up, with the news confirmed during Thursday's This Morning. The TV star, who first found fame on Geordie Shore, has since built a career as a presenter and reality TV personality.
Speaking about signing up for the BBC dance competition, Pattison said: 'I'm absolutely buzzing to be part of this year's Strictly Come Dancing lineup… but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't terrified. I am not a natural dancer! However, it's such an amazing opportunity for me to step out of my comfort zone and to challenge myself in a completely new way, and I just really hope I don't make too much of a fool of myself!'
Pattison is no stranger to competition shows, having won I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2015, and appearing on Celebrity MasterChef and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. She currently hosts the Get a Grip podcast with Angela Scanlon, a former Strictly contestant.
Later on This Morning, Australian actor Stefan Dennis was announced as the 12th celebrity contestant. Best known for his role as Paul Robinson in Neighbours, Dennis has also appeared in The Bill, Dream Team, River City and Casualty, and starred in the West End production of Blood Brothers. On joining Strictly, he said: 'This is an opportunity for me to once again learn to step out of my comfort zone in the world of television. Looking forward to the sparkle and reaching for the sky.'
Earlier on Thursday, it was confirmed that Thomas Skinner, who rose to fame on The Apprentice in 2019, would join the line-up. Skinner has since appeared on various shows including 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Wheel, and Celebrity MasterChef. He said: 'I'm beyond excited to be joining Strictly Come Dancing. I've tackled the boardroom and some big breakfasts in my time but stepping onto the dance floor under that glitter ball is next level stuff! I've never danced in my life (other than at weddings) but I'm ready to graft and of course have a laugh. Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!'
The full line-up also includes George Clarke, La Voix, Chris Robshaw, Ellie Goldstein (the first contestant with Down's syndrome to take part in the full series), Dani Dyer-Bowen, Balvinder Sopal, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Alex Kingston, and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. Strictly Come Dancing returns this September on BBC and BBC iPlayer.
