Vito Coppola kisses Ellie Leach on Strictly Come Dancing
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! returned to screens last weekend, and rugby star Danny Cipriani was thought to be competing in the ITV staple.
However, despite making all the rumoured line-up lists, it seems the sportsman snubbed the show to instead appear on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.
Strictly is a staple of the festive period and marks the occasion each year with a stand-alone Christmas episode, and on Thursday the final three famous faces taking to the dancefloor were revealed as Danny, actress Tillie Amartey, and Sugababes star Keisha Buchanan.
Danny will be partnered with Jowita Przystał while Tillie will dance with Neil Jones and Keisha is paired with Gorka Márquez.
Their other three competitors were announced on Tuesday and include BBC Breakfast present Sally Nugent, EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick and broadcaster Dan Snow.
READ MORE ITV quash rumours Danny Cipriani ‘pulled out’ of I’m A Celeb days before start
It was widely assumed Danny would be heading into the jungle last week for the launch of the 23rd series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
It was then reported he’d pulled out of the show last minute, but when approached by Express.co.uk, ITV quashed the speculation and said there had been no plans for the rugby player to be in the series.
However, he’ll now be swapping the rugby pitch for the ballroom this Christmas.
He stated: “I’ve always enjoyed the concept of Strictly Come Dancing, it wasn’t something I ever thought I’d do.
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“After addressing my own ideas and beliefs, I am very much looking forward to expressing myself through dance with no limitations.
“Strictly brings joy to everyone’s living rooms, being a part of that for Christmas Day will be special.”
Tillie has amassed an impressive CV, having worked for show such as Sky, CBBC and Channel 5.
She will also be hitting screens in January 2024 as Stace Neville in BBC One’s hit series Waterloo Road.
She commented: “My family have been avid fans of Strictly since forever so no pressure!
“The nerves are real, but I am SUPER excited to bring some much-needed joy to the telly while I shimmy and sparkle my two left feet through the Christmas special!”
The sixth and final celebrity revealed is singer-songwriter Keisha.
A founding member of platinum-selling, critically acclaimed girl group Sugababes, Keisha recently sold out the O2 for the band’s One Night Only Show.
She remarked: “I am so excited to be taking part, and over Christmas too, my favourite time of the year!
“I am looking forward to learning some new moves and embracing the dancefloor!”
Strictly Come Dancing’s Christmas Special airs Christmas Day on BBC One.
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