Strictly Come Dancing: Katie Piper is unveiled as the FIRST celebrity contestant (and she’s got her eye on Giovanni Pernice!)
Katie Piper has been confirmed as the first celebrity to join this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
The TV presenter made the announcement during Monday’s BBC Breakfast and even revealed hopes of taking to the dance floor with Giovanni Pernice.
The 34-year-old star admitted she was overjoyed to have been given the opportunity to participate in something ‘more light-hearted’, having fronted a number of hard-hitting documentaries over the years.
‘I feel so privileged!’: Katie Piper has been confirmed as the first Strictly Come Dancing contestant
While some celebrities remain coy about the professional they’re hoping to partner up with, without hesitation, Katie confessed: ‘I would like to be partnered with Giovanni.’
She then joked she was grateful the news was out, having been elusive when receiving friends’ October wedding invitations, and gushed that she was looking forward to taking part in her ‘favourite’ TV show.
Asked if she was fearful of the straight-talking judges, she enthused: ‘I don’t want to cry. The judges can be quite scary. I’ve developed a thick skin over the years so hopefully I’ll be fine.’
‘I can’t wait!’: The 34-year-old star admitted she was overjoyed to have been given the opportunity to participate in something ‘more light-hearted’
Katie, who was the victim of a cruel acid attack in 2008, rose to prominence when she wavered her anonymity to increase awareness about burn victims.
She fronted the Channel 4 documentary Katie: My Beautiful Face as part of the Cutting Edge series, which lead to a follow-up series and a best-selling autobiography.
But Katie admitted she was elated to take part in a show where her attack and appearance were ‘irrelevant’.
‘I feel so privileged and excited to be part of my favourite show on TV. I already know how much of an amazing experience it will be for me and I can’t wait to show my girls some of my new dance moves,’ the mother-of-two gushed.
‘I’m nervous to put on my dancing shoes but can’t wait to learn a new skill and have the Strictly tan and makeover.’
Katie is the first star to be confirmed for the series, though cricketer Graeme Swann, Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts and choreographer Neil Jones have all been rumoured.
Katie’s appearance on BBC Breakfast also saw her admit that all of this year’s stars have been using cheese code names to conceal their identities, laughing: ‘I was brie!’
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