In the latest Strictly news, Olympian Tom Dean has confirmed he’s signed up for the 2024 series.
The glitzy BBC One show returns to screens later this year for its 20th series.
Now, Tom himself has confirmed that he’ll be taking part in the show.
Tom confirms the news
Following reports claiming he’ll be part of the show, the Olympian has taken it on himself to confirm the news.
The BBC has strict rules about contestants keeping their involvement a secret until an official announcement. However, Tom broke the rules during a recent interview.
“Naturally you want to take a break after you’ve had a full Olympic cycle and the opportunity arose. I thought it would be really exciting to try something a bit different. I’ll be doing that and straight back into training after it,” he said.
“It’s something to look forward to. I’ve not seen [Adam Peaty] yet. He did brilliantly on it so I’ll be getting a few tips from him, for sure. I don’t do too well out of water in gravity sports. I’m throwing myself into it and I know what a hard day’s training is like so I’m looking forward to it,” he then continued.
“I guess we’ll find out. It’s something to look forward to and once I finish this, back home, relax a bit with the family and then we crack on end of August time. It’s exciting.”
A Strictly spokesperson told ED!: “The celebrity contestants for the show this year will be announced in due course.”
Tom Dean ‘signs up’ for Strictly 2024
On Tuesday (July 30) Tom, from Maidenhead, Berks, was part of the British relay team that won gold in the 4x200m men’s freestyle. Shortly after, it was claimed that Tom would be heading back to London fresh from the 2024 Olympics to start rehearsals for Strictly.
A TV insider claimed to The Sun: “It’s quite a coup for the producers to bag an Olympian fresh from winning gold in Paris, and swimmers have been shown to be great contestants.
“They tend to be a sensation as a result of their fitness, competitiveness and sheer determination to win — and Tom will still be pumped from his victory in France.
“He doesn’t quite have the same profile as other top-level swimmers yet. But that’s likely to drastically change after his time on Strictly.”
Of course, Tom’s Team GB teammate Adam Peaty took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2021.
Strictly scandal
Tom signing up to Strictly comes amid news coverage of probe into conduct on the dance series.
Giovanni Pernice, who had been part of programme since 2015, will not be part of the pros line-up in 2024. He has reportedly been the subject of a BBC investigation following claims about his rehearsal methods.
Graziano Di Prima, meanwhile, was sacked earlier this month following claims of gross misconduct. He has been accused of kicking, hitting and spitting at 2023 celebrity partner Zara McDermott.
It was also recently reported the BBC hopes the investigation’s verdict will ‘draw a line’ under the media scandal. An insider said people can start to be excited about the new names attached to the show once Strictly “moves on”.
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Read more: Strictly star JJ Chalmers forced to turn down Dancing on Ice over fears for his safety
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