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Gemma Atkinson is the fourth celebrity contestant announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2017
GEMMA Atkinson has been announced as the fourth celebrity contestant for Strictly Come Dancing 2017.
The former Emmerdale and Hollyoaks actress was introduced as the latest Strictly star on Thursday's episode of BBC Breakfast.
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Gemma, 32, admitted she felt "really bad" having to lie to her loved ones when rumours that she could take part started to emerge, as the only person she was allowed to tell was her mum.
"I can finally say I'm doing it! Sorry for lying!" she laughed.
"I'm looking forward to just learning to dance as it's out of my comfort zone. Even wearing heels for me is a big thing. Putting me in a sparkling frock is out of my comfort zone.
"I want to challenge myself and do something I've never done before.
"I did disco dancing from the age of nine to ten but that was kind of cartwheels across the floor, eat my pic 'n' mix and go home.
"As far as any dance training goes, I haven't had any.
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"After a few drinks I think I'm Britney Spears but I'm not at all!"
Gemma said she has no preference for who she gets as a professional partner as long as it's someone tall enough as she's 5ft 9in.
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She's best known for playing Lisa Hunter in Hollyoaks, Carly Hope in Emmerdale and Tamzin Bayle in Casualty, and has also appeared in the likes of The Bill, Law and Order and Waterloo Road.
The 32-year-old currently hosts the breakfast show on Manchester's Key 103 and is well known for her healthy lifestyle and love of the gym.
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“I am honoured to be asked and so thrilled to be joining Strictly Come Dancing 2017!” she said.
“I'm beyond excited and incredibly nervous but I am looking forward to learning a new skill in ballroom and Latin dancing and taking on this new challenge.”
Today's announcement comes after Loose Women panellist Ruth Langsford was revealed as the third celebrity contestant on yesterday's This Morning.
A delighted Ruth said: "I feel a bit shaky now actually. I'm very relieved because I've had to keep this a secret for so long.
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"Now it's out there. No going back now. I'm very excited what an opportunity. I've said every year I'd love to do Strictly."
Her husband Eamonn Holmes congratulated her, saying: "Darling. I'm very pleased for you.
"I'm so proud. I'm sure you'll be an inspiration to older women across the country."
Meanwhile Rylan Clark-Neal said he was proud that his "telly mum" was on Strictly.
The cheeky showbiz host then teased Eamonn over the show's infamous "Strictly curse" - with many relationships having been ruined following appearances on the programme.
However, Eamonn quipped: "One man's Strictly curse is another's Strictly blessing."
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Ruth's Loose Women colleagues were delighted for her, raising up three '10' paddles and looking at possible glitzy outfits for their friend.
Former Strictly champ Karen Hardy joined the couple on the sofa and offered her insight into the show.
She told Eamonn: "You're going to have to be her right hand man. She's gonna love it. You have to keep her hips supple at all times. So much to look forward to Ruth, you're going to be amazing."
Viewers were equally enthusiastic, flooding Twitter with good luck messages.
They included: "Argh congrats Ruth and good luck ..... I just love Strictly 👍👏🏻💃🏼"
"Yay! Go on Ruth. Will be routing for you all the way. x
"So excited for @RuthieeL @thismorning #StrictlyComeDancing
"Yes!!!!!!! Go on get in there Ruth we love you in our house 👌💪🏻👊🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃��
"Literally screamed with joy when I saw it was @RuthieeL come out the door. Love her! Go on Ruth, you show them, girl!! 💃#ThisMorning
"Good luck Ruth! You will be amazeballs #ThisMorning"
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The Saturdays singer Mollie King was the first celebrity contestant for the new series to be announced.
As The Sun exclusively reported last month, the Disco Love singer is following in her bandmate Frankie Bridge's dance shoes by taking to the BBC One show's dance floor later this year.
Frankie finished runner-up in 2014.
An insider said: “She’s a talented performer because of all her experience with The Saturdays and her solo career — so she’s someone who is very likely to make it to the final rounds.
“Producers loved the sex appeal and performance skills of Daisy Lowe last year and believe Mollie offers the same.
"She’s also very well connected and has a lot of celebrity friends who will attend filming each week.”
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Mollie said: “I'm a huge fan of Strictly Come Dancing so I can't actually believe I'm lucky enough to be taking part in it this year!
"I'm literally so excited to learn Latin and ballroom dancing, and of course I can’t wait to get into the sequins too!
"It’s going to be a lot of hard work but I'm ready for the challenge!”
She added on BBC Radio 1's Breakfast Show on Monday: "It's something that I always said I wanted to do. I've always watched it with my family and it looks so fun.
"I'm going to be giving it my all. I'm very competitive so watch out, other contestants, I'm taking you down!"
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He's best known for playing market trader Kush Kazemi and Strictly bosses have already earmarked him as this year's dance floor 'hunk'.
A TV source said: “Davood is this year’s heartthrob and bosses are delighted he’s signed up.
“Soap stars, particularly from EastEnders, have done really well on the show previously.
“Producers are keen for him to get his kit off and get the audience’s pulses racing a bit.”
Davood is just the latest in a long line of 'Enders stars to take part in Strictly.
Tameka Empson (Kim Fox), Kara Tointon (Dawn Swann), Jake Wood (Max Branning) and Kellie Bright (Linda Carter) have all competed in past series.
Strictly returns to BBC One this autumn.
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