Jeremy Vine unveiled as first contestant on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing

Ainsley Harriott will be a contestant on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

The breaking news was announced on Monday morning (10 August) on BBC Radio Two’s The Chris Evans Breakfast Show.

We are literally SO excited for the return of Strictly Come Dancing on 2nd September, and the line-up is now gradually leaking out which is only adding to our frenzy.

This week, TV presenter and author Jeremy Vine was the first celebrity to be announced. “… I truly, madly, deeply want to learn to dance. Yes, yes, yes and yes again to the sequins and the Samba“, the 50-year-old said.

However, his daughters are not as excited about him appearing on the forthcoming series, with Jeremy joking they “jumped behind the sofa” when he revealed the news to them.

His favourite TV show is Big Brother, he also loves American Horror Story and The Walking Dead.

Jeremy confessed he had only told his wife and two daughters before making the decision.

Other names rumoured to be joining Vine this year include former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary and Coronation Street actress Georgia May Foote. “It seems Dad on Strictly is more scary than Doctor Who!” he said.

Peter has shared his hopes to star on “Strictly”, stating: “It’s one of the best shows on telly and I do love to dance”.

A seasoned broadcaster, he has also been one of the presenters for the BBC’s election coverage since 2006, including overseeing the famous swingometer.

Jeremy’s children are 11 and eight years old and huge fans of the series, which has seen the likes of Caroline Flack, Abbey Clancy and Harry Judd lift the glitterball trophy.