Strictly announce Paralympic Champion as 11th contestant for 2023 line-up
Strictly Come Dancing has confirmed the eleventh contestant taking part in the 2023 series of the BBC show is Jody Cundy. The news was revealed live on Wednesday morning on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Jody, 44, is a decorated World and Paralympic Champion, he has represented Great Britain at seven Summer Paralympics winning eight Gold, one Silver and three Bronze medals across swimming and cycling events. He has also won 23 world titles, most recently winning at the World Cycling Championships in Glasgow this week.
Jody said of taking part: "Excited to be welcomed into the Strictly family and throw myself head first into the world of ballroom dancing. So far away from what I’m used to, but I’m looking forward to the challenge and pushing myself way out of my comfort zone, especially as I’m always last onto the dance floor. Can’t wait to get stuck in, bring on the glitter and sequins!"
After competing at Tokyo 2021, Jody became the first man in Paralympics GB history to win medals at seven different games. In 2012, he was made an Honorary Doctor in Health Sciences at Anglia Ruskin University, a month later, he was given an Honorary Master of Science degree from the University of Hertfordshire.
Strictly Come Dancing has confirmed the eleventh contestant taking part in the 2023 series of the BBC show is Jody CundyIn 2009, Jody was awarded an MBE for his services to Disability sport, in 2017 this was upgraded to an OBE for his services to Swimming & Cycling and in 2022 he received a CBE for services to cycling. Jody currently holds the world record in the Flying 200m and the 1km Time Trial. He also holds an impressive 14 consecutive world titles in the MC4 Kilo Time Trial.
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Elsewhere today, Strictly Come Dancing confirmed the tenth contestant taking part in the 2023 series of the BBC show is Ellie Leach. The news was revealed live on Wednesday morning during BBC Breakfast.
Ellie, 22, is best known for portraying Faye Windass for 12 years on Coronation Street. The soap star first joined the hit ITV soap in 2011 but left the cobbles in May 2023 after a slew of explosive storylines for her character.
Talking about taking part, Ellie, whose cousin is fellow former Corrie star Brooke Vincent, said: "It still doesn’t feel real that I’m going to be doing Strictly!! It’s always been a dream of mine so I guess dreams really do come true!!!!" The soap star added on BBC Breakfast that she was starting to get "nervous" now as the competition start date nears.
Jody, 44, also revealed the news on his Instagram, sharing a video of the reveal
In 2022 he received a CBE for services to cycling following his OBE in 2017It follows the announcement that Waterloo Road and former Emmerdale star Adam Thomas is on the line-up, as well as BBC presenter Nikita Kanda. Ellie revealed that she already knows fellow soap star Adam, 34, and said: "I'm really excited to see him again, I've not seen him for a while. A little piece of home but I'm really excited to meet everyone!"
Elsewhere, Nikita, who was the ninth contestant announced on Tuesday morning, said of joining: "I can’t believe I’m going to be on Strictly. This is a dream come true. I’m still pinching myself. I don’t think it will properly sink in until I step onto the dancefloor. I can’t wait to get glammed up and get out there. Throw the glitter on me!"
Nikita is best known for being the current host of the BBC Asian Network’s Breakfast show, previously having presented the Saturday afternoon show. Nikita is known for her star-studded interviews and she was recently nominated for an impressive Presenter of the Year at the Asian Media Awards. As well as her show, Nikita has also worked on BBC One’s The One Show.
It's been an exciting week for Strictly announcements as Emmerdale and Waterloo Road's Adam, 34, was revealed as the eighth contestant on Tuesday's The Hits Radio Breakfast Show. Adam said of joining: "I am so excited to be joining the cast of this years' Strictly Come Dancing. I've been such a big fan of the show for years, I can't believe I'm actually doing it! I can't dance to save my life but I'm buzzing to learn and have a good laugh with my pro. Get me on that dancefloor...I can't wait!"
The actor is best known for playing Adam Barton in Emmerdale, where he won a TV Choice award for Best Soap Newcomer and was involved in several explosive storylines. Adam left the hit ITV soap in 2018 and has recently reprised his role in Waterloo Road as fan favourite Donte Charles.
Elsewhere on Tuesday, Strictly confirmed the tenth contestant taking part is Ellie LeachAs well as his acting credentials, Adam appeared on I'm A Celebrity in 2016, finishing in third place. In 2020, Adam teamed up with his famous brothers Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas and Love Island star Scott Thomas for six-part ITV travel series Absolutely India: Mancs in Mumbai, where they took their late father back to Mumbai to trace their heritage and long lost relatives.
On Monday Love Island's Zara McDermott was announced to be the first ever villa star to take part in the BBC series, after a "ban" on Islanders taking part. Angela Scanlon, best known for hosting Your Home Made Perfect on BBC Two, as well as for her work on The One Show and Robot Wars, was announced as the sixth celebrity to join the BBC show.
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Prior to this, Sherlock star Amanda Abbington, Angela Rippon and Layton Williams, were all confirmed during a bumper reveal on The One Show last week, with fans thrilled to see them taking part. Also on the bill is comedian Eddie Kadi, while more names are set to be announced in due course.
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