Jaime Winstone is the eighth Strictly star(Image: BBC)
Actress Jaime Winstone has officially been announced to take part on Strictly Come Dancing, becoming the eighth star on the line-up.
The daughter of Ray Winstone will be competing for the glitterball alongside a string of celebs, including EastEnders’ Lacey Turner and Love Island winner Dani Dyer. Announcing the news, Jaime said: “I am so excited to announce that I will be joining the Strictly Come Dancing cast this year.
Ray Winstone with daughter Jaime at a charity event(Image: PA)
Though Jaime has a very famous father, she has made a name for herself as an actress, staring in films such as Made in Dagenham and Tomb Raider, as well as playing Barbara Windsor in BBC biopic Babs and taking on the role of Peggy Mitchell in EastEdners’ flashback specials.
The news comes shortly after sports legend Dame Sarah Storey was confirmed for the show. Dame Sarah, 48, has a total of 30 Paralympic medals, including 19 gold medals. She was born without a left hand after it was tangled in the umbilical cord at birth.
She said: “Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting. I have always loved watching Strictly and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world, is incredibly motivating! I can’t wait to get started!”
TV presenter Will Best also signed up, describing it as a “dream”. “I can’t quite believe it…I’m doing Strictly,” the former Big Brother host said in a statement. “What an absolute dream. Albeit a pretty terrifying one.
“I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!
“I have no idea if I can actually dance, but bring on the sequins, bring on the quicksteps, bring on the dance floor! I’m going to try to enjoy every minute of it.”
It’s all change for Strictly this time around – as Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe were announced as presenters, replacing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, after the duo stepped back from the show last year.
Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe were unveiled as the new hosts(Image: Ray Burmiston/BBC/PA Wire)
In a surprising move, bosses have been confirming their celebrity contestants since mid-June – much earlier than their usual line-up announcement.
Fans were delighted when Lacey became the first star to be confirmed for this year’s competition – having been linked in previous years.
The Stacey Slater actress said: “I am so excited to being making my way to the dance floor this year to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing! I am a huge fan and can’t quite believe I will be taking part and not watching at home this year! I look forward to meeting everyone and learning a new skill!”
Dani Dyer, who was due to take part last year, shared the news of her dancefloor return – after she was forced to withdraw due to an injury.
“I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September,” she said. “I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one! I’m just over the moon and cannot wait to find out who else is doing it!”
Dani Dyer was forced to pull out of Strictly last year(Image: Dani Dyer Instagram)
Dani won’t be the only Love Islander battling for the crown, as Cach Mercer will also be taking part. He cheered: “I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!”
Singer-songwriter Delta Goodrem is also getting her dancing shoes on, telling fans: “I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career – from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor! I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Strictly and can’t wait to get started!”
Chris Appleton, celebrity hairstylist, also shared his excitement at the prospect of competing for the glitterball.
The star, who has worked with Kim Kardashian, added: “I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly Come Dancing and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience.
“I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new. I may know my way around a salon floor, but the dance floor is a whole different story – and I can’t wait to get started.”
