06 August 2023 , 13:35
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Daniel Sturridge is said to be the latest celebrity to have signed up for Strictly Come Dancing.
The ex-England star, 33, who was renowned for his goal celebrating 'Sturridge dance', looks set to join Angela Rippon, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Amanda Abbington and Bad Education star Layton Williams on the dance floor when the new series kicks off next month.
Speaking about Daniel's potential performance in the sequinned-filled studio, a source said: “Daniel was a massive football star and had loads of personality on the pitch. Fans use to love the dance he did after scoring a goal — so he showed Strictly bosses that he had rhythm.
Daniel Sturridge is said to be the latest celebrity to have signed up for Strictly Come Dancing (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)“He hasn’t been able to play football for a while and his professional career has petered out. When the Strictly offer came he jumped at the chance to do something different and have some fun. Producers are always keen to get footballers on board," reports The Sun.
Daniel is a free agent since being released by Australian club Perth Glory last year. He created his trademark “Sturridge dance” when Premier League rules prevented him from pulling his shirt over his head.
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During his tenure at Liverpool and Chelsea, he said of his infamous arm waving on his YouTube channel: “It’s ‘The Sturridge dance’. It’s not ‘The Wave’ which FIFA called it, it’s not the name. It’s ‘The Sturridge dance’ so let’s get that straight and fine and dandy. Hanging out with my cousins and my friends in my apartment. There was some house music playing, filming us, a couple of drinks flowing, you know.
“I literally just started doing that move. It wasn’t as smooth, it wasn’t as clean but I was a little bit tipsy and just decided to start moving that way."
Daniel is 45 years younger than the new series' oldest contestant Angela Rippon. The Come Dancing star has taken the mantle from Johhny Ball, who took part in 2012, aged 74.
Angela became the first regular female news anchor on the BBC in 1975 and went on to host shows including Strictly predecessor Come Dancing between 1988 to 1991.
Appearing on The One Show, she revealed the first thing she asked the BBC show when they approached her was “why didn’t they ask me 10 years ago”. She added: “The serious reason behind doing it is because I’ve been advocating ever since I did a series called How To Stay Young with Chris van Tulleken where we demonstrated as part of the programme that dance is the complete full mind and body exercise for everybody, regardless of your age, but particularly for people as they get older."
* The BBC said it did not comment on speculation when contacted by the Mirror regarding this story.