Pop star and TV personality Ashley Roberts has been confirmed as Strictly Come Dancing’s ninth contestant.
The news was due to be revealed on Chris Evans’ BBC Radio 2 show this morning. However, the Strictly team were a bit keen and announced the news on their Twitter page.
Speaking about taking part on Strictly, Ashley revealed that she decided to join in on the fun after hearing about her friends’ fantastic experiences on the show.
“Daisy Lowe loved it, Flacky [Caroline Flack] said it was one of her favourite projects. Pixie [Lott] and Laura [Whitmore] loved it! So I’m excited to dive into my own experience.”
? When I grow up I wanna be famous, I wanna be a star, I wanna be on #Strictly ? – what Ashley Roberts was (probably) singing before joining our 2018 line-up, right @ImAshleyRoberts? ?https://t.co/wWTO1H0ytY pic.twitter.com/ZHvS5TVWB7
— BBC Strictly ? (@bbcstrictly) August 17, 2018
Ashley is best known as a former member of girlband The Pussycat Dolls. During their career, the girl group sold over 54 million records. Since then, Ashley has carved out a successful TV career, appearing on shows including I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, Keith Lemon’s Coming to America, without forgetting her two series judging stint on Dancing on Ice.
She may have showcased her nifty footwork over the years as part of The Pussycat Dolls, but how will Ashley fare in the realms of ballroom and Latin dance? We can’t wait to find out!
Ashley joins the previously confirmed Katie Piper, Faye Tozer, Danny John-Jules, Joe Sugg, Vick Hope, Graeme Swann, Dr Ranj and Stacey Dooley. More contestants are due to be announced over the coming days.