Cricketer Graeme Swann will be swapping his cricket whites for sequins as he has been named as the sixth contestant on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
As one of the many rumoured names in the press over the past week, Graeme was officially revealed as a contestant earlier today on BBC Radio 2’s Drivetime show presented by Angela Scanlon and OJ Borg.
Rising from the Ashes, cricketer Graeme Swann @swannyg66 is ready for a new sporting challenge… #Strictly 2018! ? https://t.co/hstkGQJtsk pic.twitter.com/InXeVSEvHh
— BBC Strictly ? (@bbcstrictly) August 15, 2018
As one of the country’s greatest spinners, Graeme played a key role in the 2009 Ashes and was named ECB Cricketer of the Year a year later. Sadly, following an elbow injury in 2013, Graeme retired from the sport however, now provides cricket commentary.
Speaking about taking part in the show, Graeme said: “It’s true – I’ve signed up for Strictly! I’m hoping to follow in the footsteps of the cricketers who’ve come before me who’ve either won the whole thing or had an absolute ball on the show.”
“Keeping it under wraps from my kids has been nearly impossible; they are huge fans of the show and I can’t wait to see their faces when I tell them. I don’t have any background in dancing but can do the floss so let’s hope this comes in useful!”
Graeme follows in the footsteps of many cricketers who have competed on the show. Whilst the likes of Phil Tuffnell and Michael Vaughan did their best, both Darren Gough and Mark Ramprakash went all the way and won the glitterball trophy during their respective series.
Graeme joins the previously confirmed confirmed Katie Piper, Faye Tozer, Danny John-Jules, Joe Sugg and Vick Hope.
Celebrity number seven is being revealed on This Morning tomorrow. Will it be the rumoured Gok Wan or Dr Ranj, or will it be someone completely different? We can’t wait to find out.