Former Olympian James Cracknell, 47, has joined Anneka Rice, Alex Scott and Dev Griffin as the final line up for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing has been ‘revealed’, according to The Sun.
Cracknell was tipped to compete in last year’s edition of the BBC’s hit show, but he was reportedly banned from joined by his now ex-wife, Beverly Turner.
It was reported that his wife of 17 years was worried about what’s often referred to as the ‘Strictly Curse’, and she didn’t want him joining the programme due to her fears that he would end up falling for his dancing partner on the show.
However, Cracknell has now reportedly agreed to take part in the competition just one month after he was granted a divorce and the sportsman could very well end up being one of the favourites to come away with the coveted Glitterball trophy given his sporting background.
According to The Sun, Olympic rower Cracknell will be joined by English actress and broadcaster Anneka Rice, former England footballer Alex Scott and radio DJ Dev Griffin.
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Sports stars have a tendency in the past of doing very well on the programme, and the rowing champion and double Olympic gold medalist certainly has the competitive streak which could allow him to go far on this year’s Strictly.
Strictly has been announcing the show’s contestants over the past week and they include the likes of former Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley, EastEnders actress Emma Barton and YouTuber Saffron Barker.
Cracknell’s ex-wife, Turner, had nursed the former Olympian back to health after he had suffered a very dangerous brain injury.
It was reported that she had previously been against Cracknell joining the show because she “didn’t want him having some Russian [bleep] in his face every week”.
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This comes after Corrie actress Cath appeared on Thursday’s edition of This Morning to reveal that she would also be taking part on Strictly this year.
Tyldesley, who’s now the joint-favourite to win Strictly this year, said: “I’m so excited. My husband [knew], he’s thrilled to bits. I told my best friend and he started laughing. The history is I can’t really dance.
“I can’t dance. I love to dance on a night out if I’ve had a few drinks, but that is it. I am literally terrified. I’m going to struggle to remember things [like the choreography].
I can’t dance. I love to dance on a night out if I’ve had a few drinks, but that is it.
“I always thought I need to do this. It’s going to be like therapy. It’s going to be a real challenge for me.”
Strictly Comes Dancing will be back on our screens this autumn.
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