AJ Odudu was the third celebrity to be confirmed.
Perhaps one of the lesser-known faces on the show this year, Odudu will be familiar to some from her hosting duties on Big Brother’s Bit on the Side, The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice and The Voice.
She began her presenting career as the BBC’s “raving reporter” and fronted Sky Arts’ coverage of the Isle of Wight festival, so she might be more used to a mucky moshpit than a stately ballroom. Still, she’s likely to bring charm and a big toothy grin to her time twirling under Strictly’s bright lights.
“I am beyond chuffed that I am going to be on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing,” she said. “I absolutely love the show and am fully committed to making the most of every second of the Strictly experience. Bring it on!”
AJ was forced to pull out prior to the final following an injury.
And who are the judges?
Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas have all returned to the judges’ seats. But despite his gallivanting around the UK with Craig for his road-trip series, long-standing judge Bruno Tonioli will be sitting this one out, due to uncertainty around Covid-19 travel restrictions.
His loss is Anton Du Beke’s gain. Du Beke joined Strictly during its first series and is the only professional dancer to have danced in every series to date. Can he compete with Tonioli’s barbed charm? Only (quick-)time will tell.
