As we predicted on Entertainment Daily earlier this month, Brian Conley will be taking part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing – the tenth contestant to be confirmed.
The 56-year-old comedian was officially unveiled on Steve Wright’s Radio 2 show this afternoon, and has been tipped to provide the laughs in the 15th series, following in the footsteps of Ed Balls and John Sergeant.
But the man who was once reported to be the highest-paid male personality in the UK claims that he might surprise a few people on the dancefloor, too.
“I can move, there’s no denying it,” he told Wright. “The last time I properly danced was in Hairspray, where I played a 22-stone woman from Baltimore.
“On Monday, we start rehearsing for the first number. Then we have the reveal. Then we have three weeks to rehearse our first song.
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Conley is best known for fronting his own programme – The Brian Conley Show – in the Nineties. In it, he played a character called ‘Dangerous Brian’, a daredevil that attempted ever more ridiculous stunts.
But he revealed that his family have been pressuring him to put on his dancing shoes for some time.
“I’ve turned down quite a considerable amount of stuff because of this,” he said. “My daughter last year said: ‘Daddy, if you love me, you’ll do Strictly.’ They’re really up for it!
“It’s a wonderful feelgood show. It’s something that harks back to my past.”
And Strictly bosses reportedly have high hopes that ‘Dangerous Brian’ will provide some thrills – both on the dancefloor and off it.
An inside source told The Sun: “From eating fire on Loose Women earlier this year to flashing his rear on The Wright Stuff – ‘Dangerous Brian’ certainly won’t be afraid to try anything on the Strictly dancefloor.
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“He was addicted to the series last year and even came to watch the live shows to get some tips – he really can’t wait to get going.”
So far, other contestants taking part in this year’s Strictly include The Saturdays singer Mollie King, TV presenter Simon Rimmer and Emmerdale star Gemma Atkinson.
We’re sure they’ll all be fun to watch – but when it comes to belly laughs, Brian’s sure to be the man.