STRICTLY SPEAKING
New Strictly star Sam Quek risks fix row as it emerges she had dance lessons with show professionals before signing up
Sam was announced for Strictly alongside two other famous faces this week
NEW Strictly Come Dancing star Sam Quek risks a fix row after it emerged that she had dance lessons with show professionals before signing up.
The former Team GB Hockey star won gold in the Rio Olympics, and went on to launch a presenting career covering the Tokyo Games in 2020 and becoming team captain on A Question of Sport – and now she’s been announced for the upcoming series of Strictly.
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But Sam, 35, has actually teased dance lessons with Strictly professionals.
Sam appeared on reality show I’m A Celebrity with former Strictly pro Ola Jordan, in its sixteenth series.
And in an interview with HELLO! after the show, she said that she and her husband Tom Mairs were going to do dance classes.
Sam said: “I got to know Ola and James over in Australia so they gave us the dancing bug, and and knew how to dance.
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“It's a good thing for us to get out and get more active rather than socialising on the sofa, so we're going to start taking classes on the corner.”
Sam admits she is still racked with nerves about hitting the dancefloor.
After being announced for the show this week, she said: “As a former hockey player I’m used to playing as part of a team, but the thought of dancing on the Ballroom floor in front of a live audience is quite daunting!
"I’m chuffed to be a part of this legendary show and Quickstep into the shoes of a performer, it feels absolutely surreal but I’m ready for every bit of the adventure.";
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And the star, who was announced alongside Nick Knowles, Paul Merson, will join other famous faces on the Strictly dancefloor.
Blind comedian Chris McCausland was first revealed by The Sun last month.
Watch as The One Show suffers huge live technical blunder as it unveils the final three Strictly stars on air
Chris lost his sight aged 22 due to a hereditary condition called retinitis pigmentosa.
Jamie Borthwick, who plays Jay Brown on EastEnders, Towie star Pete Wicks, Olympic swimmer Tom Dean, 80s pop legend Toyah Willcox and Love Island star Tasha Ghouri are also in the mix.
Who's confirmed for Strictly 2024?
WITH Strictly's 20th anniversary special airing in September, The Sun takes a look at which celebs have been confirmed for the new series:
- EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick.
- Athlete Tom Dean is is a three-time Olympic champion.
- X Factor winner and former Corrie star Shayne Ward.
- Miranda star Sarah Hadland.
- Gladiators star Montell Douglas AKA Fire.
- Football pundit Paul Merson.
- DIY SOS sat Nick Knowles.
- Olympic hero Sam Quek.
- Towie legend Pete Wicks.
- Love Island star Tasha Ghouri.
- Morning Live star Dr Punam Krishan.
- 80s legend and singer Toyah Willcox.
- Opera singer Wynne Evans.
- JLS singer JB Gill.
- Comedian Chris McCausland.
They will be joined by Corrie star and X Factor winner Shayne Ward, JLS singer JB Gill, Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans, TV doctor Punam Krishan, Montell Douglas, who is better known as Gladiators star Fire, and Miranda star Sarah Hadland.
Judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse are returning to the panel, with Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly back on presenting duties.
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