Southampton sprinter hero announced for Strictly

The announcement was made live on the BBC’s The One Show, where presenter Kirsty Gallacher was also revealed as a contender for this year’s series.

Sky Sports presenter Kirsty added: “I used to do loads of ballet and tap but I’ve not danced in years, only at a wedding when I’ve had a couple of drinks”.

Iwan, 41, said he was “extremely excited and scared” about hitting the dancefloor for the first time next weekend. “Sport and fitness have always been a big part of my life but dancing is an entirely new challenge for me”.

“I love watching the show and I can’t believe I’m swapping my running spikes for dancing shoes”, he said.

When asked if she had any dancing experience, Gallacher said: “Not since I was about ten”.

Sprinter Thomas has represented Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the Olympic Games and Wales at the Commonwealth Games, collecting a raft of gold, silver and bronze medals during his athletics career. Iwan now presents features on The One Show and Moto GP tonight on BT Sports.

The pair will join Jamelia, Peter Andre and Jay McGuiness; actors Kellie Bright, Georgia May Foote and Helen George; broadcasters Katie Derham, Anita Rani and Jeremy Vine; weather presenter Carol Kirkwood, boxer Anthony Ogogo and chef Ainsley Harriott.

We can not wait! The show starts on BBC One on 5 September at 7:15pm.