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    Michelle Visage and Jamie Laing join Strictly Come Dancing line up

    Katrina ReesBy

    The Class of Strictly Come Dancing 2019 is filling up fast with six more new names added to the line up over the past few days including American star Michelle Visage and Made in Chelsea royalty Jamie Laing.

    Here’s a round up of the six new additions that you might have missed:

    Michelle Visage

    American star Michelle Visage is a singer, television host, radio DJ, and media personality who is best known as a judge on Ru Paul’s Drag Race. Following a stint in London’s West End earlier this year, where she starred as Miss Hedge in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, she will also be appearing on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, which is set to air on BBC Three this October.

    Speaking about taking part in Strictly, Michelle said: “Getting to do Strictly in my favorite place on Earth is an actual DREAM! I’m so excited to show that being 50 doesn’t mean life stops. Things may not work like they did when I was 20, but 50 also means “FABULOUS!” There are plenty of women like me out there who still “got it” and we still “plan to use it!” so slap on the sequins, point me to the dance floor and watch me Paso my Doble!”

    Jamie Laing

    Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing will be donning his dancing shoes for this year’s series. He’s a TV regular, having previously taken part in shows including Celebrity Hunted, The Great British Bakeoff and Famous and Fighting Crime. He is also a successful businessman, having founded the sweets brand Candy Kittens in 2012.

    Speaking about the show, Jamie said: “I am beyond thrilled to be asked to be on Strictly, the only person potentially more thrilled is my mother. I have finally become the son she hoped for!”

    Will Bayley

    Paralympian Will Bayley is a Class 7 Paralympic athlete and compete in London 2012 and Rio 2016, winning consecutive silver and gold medals in table tennis. He is currently training to defend his title at the Tokyo 2020 games.

    On taking part, Will said: “I’m so proud to be on the show, it’s my family’s favourite show. I have no dance experience at all, but I hope I can do well. I want to inspire people with a disability- that would mean a lot to me. I want to prove to people I can do this.”

    Viscountess Emma Weymouth

    Viscountess Emma Weymouth is a businesswoman, chef, model and philanthropist. She launched ‘Emma’s Kitchen’ at Longleat in 2015 and is also involved in Longleat’s project to help save the Northern White Rhino and its work with the charity TUSK. She can also be seen as a guest chef on James Martin’s Saturday Morning TV show and is a contributing editor for British Vogue.

    She said: “I absolutely love watching Strictly every weekend and I can’t believe that I’m getting the chance to be on this series. I know it will be such an amazing experience from start to finish. I can’t wait for the dancing and the fabulous outfits!”

    Karim Zeroual

    Karim Zeroual has been a CBBC presenter since 2014, presenting directly from the CBBC HQ as well as numerous other shows, including a forthcoming new travel and sport documentary called A Week to Beat the World. He started his career as a child in West End Shows including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and has since appeared in TV shows including Eastenders, Blue Peter and The Sparticle Mystery.

    Karim said: “To be offered the chance to take part in Strictly is dumbfounding, I’m pinching myself…! I’m so excited to be Strictlified. I want THE LOT. The skimpiest of clothes, the widest of flares, the brightest of colours and the tallest Cuban heels a guy can find! The more flamboyant the better… sequins galore please!!”

    Mike Bushell

    BBC Breakfast star Mike Bushell will also be competing on this year’s Strictly. He presents the main sports bulletins of the day on BBC Breakfast, as well as profiling main stream sports events from the Olympics, Paralympics, the Winter games, Football World Cups, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games.

    Mike said: “I am so excited to be joining this year’s Strictly Come Dancing. I’ve heard so many wonderful things from colleagues over the years so thrilled I’m now getting the chance. I know I will completely throw myself into the whole experience and I’m sure will love it from start to finish. I may have tried and profiled over 500 sports over the years in my Saturday morning BBC Breakfast slot but think the Strictly challenge could be the greatest. Bring on the glitter!”

    They join footballer David James, comedian Chris Ramsey, EastEnders star Emma Barton, social media star Saffron Barker, and actress Catherine Tyldesley, who were all revealed last week.

    What are your thoughts on the Strictly Come Dancing line up so far? Let us know on Twitter @CelebMix

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