Nicola Adams OBE will be part of the first ever same-sex pairing on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
The retired 37-year-old Olympic boxer is swapping the ring for the ballroom and will make history by dancing with another woman on the BBC One show.
Nicola said she’s thrilled to get the chance to learn how to dance and is proud that she gets to be “part of the movement for change, diversity and breaking boundaries in the entertainment industry”.
The star, who’s been with girlfriend Ella Baig for two years, said: “I’m really excited to be joining this year’s incredible line-up for Strictly Come Dancing.
Swapping Olympic gold for Saturday night glitter. Boxer Nicola Adams OBE is stepping into the #Strictly ring! 🥇
👉 https://t.co/cYNbp8FkrM @nicolaadamsobe pic.twitter.com/4BsosK7mzk
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) September 2, 2020
“I’m a huge fan of the show and am thrilled to be part of something that holds such a special place in so many people’s hearts.
Who is Nicola Adams?
“People might know me from work in the ring.
“I also wanted to thank the BBC for supporting me and making me the first ever all female-pairing; and it’s amazing to be a part of the movement for change, diversity and breaking boundaries in the entertainment industry.”
Read more: GMB’s Ranvir Singh joins Strictly Come Dancing 2020
Nicola’s boxing career was a glittering one.
She became the first female amateur boxer to win an Olympic gold medal at London 2012.
And she became double Olympic champion following her second gold medal win in Rio 2016 as well as being the first boxer in history to retain an Olympic title.
Nicola then became World Amateur Champion in May 2016 and went on to win the WBO world female flyweight title in 2019.
Nicola Adams forms first same-sex pairing
Since retiring undefeated, she is the only female boxer in the history of the sport to have won every major title available to her. This includes: Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth.
Nicola became a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2013 New Year’s Honours list. She became an OBE in the 2016 New Year’s Honours list.
My thought’s on @bbcstrictly same-sex couple! #Strictly2020 #Strictly pic.twitter.com/HBbGleaIYb
— Natalie Lowe (@RealNatalieLowe) September 2, 2020
Read more: Nadine Coyle’s ex Jason Bell signs up for Strictly Come Dancing 2020
Meanwhile, the BBC’s decision to pair Nicola with a female dancer has already been praised by Strictly professional Natalie Lowe.
In a post on Twitter, she wrote: “Found out the amazing news last night that Nicola Adams is going to be dancing in Strictly’s first same-sex couple!
“I could not be more happy and I’m delighted the show has made this decision.
“Dancing is dancing and in 2020 it really should not matter which gender dances with which. Knock them dead, Nicola.”
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