Helen Skelton revealed as final Strictly Come Dancing contestant

Amy Walker
·2 min read
<span>Photograph: BBC/PA</span>
Photograph: BBC/PA

The Countryfile presenter Helen Skelton has been confirmed as the final contestant for Strictly Come Dancing 2022.

The 39-year-old’s participation was announced on Saturday morning by Claudia Winkleman, who co-hosts the celebrity dance show with Tess Daly, during her BBC Radio 2 show.

Skelton, who previously appeared in the 2012 Strictly Christmas Special, completes the lineup for the 20th series of the BBC show due to air in September.

The broadcaster joins contestants including EastEnders star James Bye, singer Fleur East, Ted Lasso star Ellie Taylor, Bros singer Matt Goss, Kiss radio host Tyler West, former England footballer Tony Adams and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Molly Rainford.

On making her debut on the ballroom floor, Skelton said: “I’m really excited to get stuck into a fun adventure. My family and friends have always loved the show and can’t wait for me to get started.”

Speaking to Winkleman on Saturday morning, Skelton revealed she had only agreed to do the show recently.

“Who gets to go to work and made to look a bit like Beyoncé and have a fun time?” she added. “So I just thought, this is madness to not do it, of course I should do it. It’ll be so much fun.”

Skelton kickstarted her TV career in children’s television, presenting the BBC’s Newsround and Blue Peter.

Over five years at Blue Peter, she took on challenges including completing the Namibia Ultra Marathon, cycling to the south pole and kayaking more than 2,018 miles down the Amazon River.

Since leaving the programme, she has presented on shows including the BBC’s Countryfile, ITV’s Lorraine, and Channel 5’s This Week on the Farm.

She has also hosted Women’s Super League football matches and Channel 4’s Super League rugby coverage.

On the airwaves, Skelton has previously stood in for Dermot O’Leary on BBC Radio 2 and was recently announced as the new host of the BBC Radio 5 Live Sunday morning show, taking over from Love Island’s Laura Whitmore.

Also joining the lineup are: Paralympic swimming gold medallist Ellie Simmonds; comedian and actor Jayde Adams; Coronation Street actors Will Mellor and Kym Marsh; Loose Women star Kaye Adams; Radio 2’s Richie Anderson; and wildlife cameraman and presenter Hamza Yassin.

The EastEnders actor Rose Ayling-Ellis and her professional dancing partner, Giovanni Pernice, took home the glitterball trophy at the end of last year’s series.

While Covid restrictions had been in place for two series of the show, a full studio audience will return for the 20th series.

Its launch is scheduled to be recorded on 7 September.

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest Stories

  • FTSE 100 record highs do not reflect a recovery for UK PLC - here's why

    The FTSE 100 has hit a second all-time closing high in as many days. The index of the UK's biggest 100 listed companies, having earlier hit a new intra-day high of 8,075.52 at just after 8.24am on Tuesday, finished the session up 20.94 points, around 0.26%, at 8044.81. It's worth reflecting it has taken just over a year for the premier index to recapture the summit last achieved when, on 16 February 2023, the FTSE hit the dizzying heights of 8,047.06.

  • Group yanks bear cubs from tree for photos, NC video shows. Why won’t they be charged?

    Here’s what we know.

  • Abbey Clancy admits Peter Crouch felt snubbed by her solo podcast project

    The model and presenter revealed her husband was offended when she told him she was making her own 'enriching' podcast without him.

  • The head of Mexico's detective service says his country is the 'champion' of fentanyl production

    MEXICO CITY (AP) — The head of Mexico’s detective service acknowledged Tuesday that the country is “the champion” of fentanyl production, contradicting President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. López Obrador hotly denies that any fentanyl is produced in Mexico, saying Mexican cartels only press it into pills or add finishing touches. But Felipe de Jesus Gallo, the head of Mexico’s Criminal Investigation Agency, said that since the 1990s “Mexico has been the champion of methamphetamine production, a

  • Royal Family Debuts Prince Louis’ 6th Birthday Photo Captured by Kate Middleton

    The Prince and Princess of Wales thanked everyone for their "kind wishes" on Prince Louis' birthday.

  • Land Rover Range Rover Electric prototypes endure winter testing

    Land Rover's testing Range Rover Electric prototypes in Sweden ahead of a late 2024 debut. The SUV promises V8 performance and excellent traction control.

  • Nikola Jokic's brother reportedly involved in an altercation after the Nuggets beat the Lakers

    DENVER (AP) — The NBA and Denver police are looking into an incident in which a man reported to be one of the brothers of Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic was seen punching a fan after the team’s buzzer-beating 101-99 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA playoffs. In videos shared by TMZ and other outlets, the man is seen climbing over seats to confront another person at Ball Arena, who he then punches in the face. TMZ said the altercation happened on Monday night just after the Nugget

  • NASCAR driver Erik Jones to miss Dover race because of broken lower vertebra

    Erik Jones suffered a compression fracture in a lower vertebra in a wreck at Talladega and will not drive this weekend in the NASCAR Cup series race at Dover Motor Speedway. Corey Heim will substitute for Jones in the No. 43 Toyota for Legacy Motor Club. There is no timeline for Jones' return.

  • Missouri lawmakers approve bill to lay waste to controversial KC landfill proposal

    “I am very pleased that we were able to get a resolution for the landowners, for the city of Raymore and the city of Lee’s Summit,” said House Majority Leader Jonathan Patterson, a Lee’s Summit Republican.

  • Columbia University extends remote learning amid Gaza war protests

    The hybrid learning comes amid reports of antisemitic harassment around Columbia University.

  • Dozens Arrested During Pro-Palestine Rally at Yale University

    At least 47 student protesters were arrested in New Haven, Connecticut, on Monday, April 22, after a pro-Palestine rally at Yale University, local media reported.Footage captured by Thomas Birmingham shows people singing and chanting while officers patrol Beinecke Plaza on Monday.Following the protest, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker thanked police for their actions and said it was “important that protests are conducted in a safe and orderly manner.”The rally echoed a spate of pro-Palestinian demonstrations unfolding across other US college campuses, including NYU, Harvard, and Columbia. Credit: Thomas Birmingham via Storyful

  • AAR Stock Stock Moving Up The Leadership Ladder; Earns 81 RS Rating

    One important metric to look for in a stock is an 80 or higher Relative Strength Rating. AAR stock cleared that benchmark Tuesday, with a jump from 76 to 81 Tuesday. IBD's unique rating tracks share price action with a 1 (worst) to 99 (best) score.

  • Tragedy narrowly averted on JFK runway by quick-thinking Swiss Air pilot

    NEW YORK — The Federal Aviation Association wants to know why a Swiss International Airlines flight had to “heavy” reject being cleared for takeoff on a John F. Kennedy International Airport runway several other planes were given the OK to use. “Swiss Airlines Flight 17K aborted its takeoff at John F. Kennedy International Airport because four aircraft were crossing the same runway downfield,” ...

  • Lakers, 76ers believe NBA officiating left them in 0-2 holes. But that's not how it works

    Officiating always is a hot topic during the NBA playoffs. Controversial calls during Monday's games have Lakers, 76ers pointing fingers.

  • Wildfire terms every Canadian should be familiar with

    A key part of staying safe is being informed, and that includes learning the lingo associated with wildfires.

  • US charges, sanctions Iranians linked to Revolutionary Guard cyber command

    The U.S. government on Tuesday announced criminal charges and sanctions against four Iranians over an alleged multi-year cyber campaign targeting more than one dozen American companies, the Treasury Department and the State Department said. Sanctions were also announced against two companies, Mehrsam Andisheh Saz Nik and Dadeh Afzar Arman, that according to the Treasury Department employed the individual defendants and were front companies for Iran's Revolutionary Guard cyber command. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan said the corporate targets were primarily defense contractors that had access to classified information, while other targets included a New York-based accounting firm and New York-based hospitality company.

  • Queen Letizia of Spain Dons Tweed Midi Dress With Frayed Details for Literature Awards Event

    The royal was joined by her husband, King Felipe of Spain, for the occasion.

  • Donald Trump assails gag order as day two of his hush money trial wraps up

    Day two of Donald Trump's hush money trial in New York wrapped up Tuesday afternoon with the former president once again railing against the gag order that he's already been accused of violating multiple times.

  • Is There An Opportunity With Meridian Energy Limited's (NZSE:MEL) 39% Undervaluation?

    Key Insights Meridian Energy's estimated fair value is NZ$9.72 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Meridian...

  • Megan Thee Stallion Cameraman Alleges She Forced Him To Watch Her Have Sex

    Lexie Moreland/WWD via Getty ImagesA former cameraman for rap star Megan Thee Stallion is suing her for harassment and for creating a “hostile, abusive work environment,” according to documents obtained by NBC News. Emilio Garcia told NBC that he worked for the star, who’s real name is Megan Pete, starting in 2018 through June 2023.Garcia alleged that things went downhill for him after he was forced to watch Pete have sex while trapped inside a moving vehicle with her and an unidentified woman i