
EastEnders star announced as fifth Strictly Come Dancing contestant
She said: 'Being on Strictly is a dream that I held on to, with no proof that it would ever happen.
'Working on EastEnders and being a part of Strictly Come Dancing is the stuff that dreams are made of.
'I'm far too excited to put into words how I feel but I'm incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom.'
The actress was announced as a contestant on the show live from Albert Square on ITV's Good Morning Britain on Tuesday.
It comes after Dyer, Hasselbaink and Kingston, who is best known for her role as Dr Elizabeth Corday in US medical drama ER but also appeared in Doctor Who, were announced as contestants on BBC's The One Show on Monday.
Speaking from the studio after her reveal, Dyer, who is the daughter of actor Danny Dyer, said: 'It's such a fun magical show – to be asked to do it is such an honour.
'I just can't wait to be able to wear (the costumes) – it's going to be so much fun.'
Dutch ex-footballer Hasselbaink added: 'I'm a father of only girls and Strictly is a part of our home life – I like the show. Let's have a go.'
Actress Kingston, who interrupted her holiday in Italy to speak to hosts Alex Scott and Roman Kemp, joked: 'I was super excited but now I'm terrified.'
Aikines-Aryeetey, known as Nitro on the rebooted Gladiators, previously competed in last year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special and described his decision to return on Monday as 'so nice I just had to do it twice'.
In July, the BBC announced that two 'incredible' new professional dancers, US-born Alexis Warr and Australian dancer Julian Caillon, would be joining the show, which starts this autumn.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will return to present the show, with Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas returning as judges.
Strictly will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this September.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Early Strictly Come Dancing favourite Dani Dyer sparks 'fix row' as her past dance experience is revealed
Strictly Come Dancing's Dani Dyer has sparked a 'fix row' as her past dance experience has been revealed. The former Love Island star, 29, is the early favourite to lift the Glitter Ball trophy with bookies having her at 4/1, while YouTuber George Clarke is next on 6/1. But now it has been revealed in an unearthed passage from her autobiography, Dani boasted about being a 'qualified dancer', with fans questioning if she has an unfair advantage. Last year trained dancer Tasha Ghouri faced a backlash for her training, as well as JLS star JB Gill. The daughter of acting legend Danny Dyer said in her 2019 book that she would put 'qualified dancer' under the list of qualifications on her CV. Writing in her book, Dani wrote about how she went to theatre school at weekends from the age of 2 to 14. She said: 'It was called O'Farrell's Stage School and I was a really good little dancer. 'I'm not a bad singer but it was the dance stuff I loved more - jazz, tap, ballet, modern. I'd get home and prance around the house.' Daily Mail has contacted Dani's representatives and BBC for comment. Dani, who wed husband Jarrod Bowen this year, shot to fame in 2018 on the ITV2 dating show when she bagged the £50k prize with Jack Fincham. Speaking about taking part in the new series of Strictly, Dani said: 'Getting the opportunity to be on Strictly is the second most amazing thing I've done this year! 'I feel very very blessed and cannot wait to get my dancing shoes on.' She joins a host of stars in the lineup which also includes actress Alex Kingston, 62, former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, 53, trailblazing Down syndrome model Ellie Goldstein, 23, and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, 36. Strictly's new series has been hit by a string of scandals in the lead-up to its return, including revelations that the broadcaster had hired a law firm to probe allegations of drug taking by two individuals. One of the stars involved in the drugs probe was also suspected of drinking while working on the show after crew smelt alcohol on their breath. The Sun alleged that it was widely known that the pair, who have not been named, took the Class A substance, and that one of these Strictly performers was known for being a drinker. The publication have now reported that junior members of the team were asked to keep an eye on them during last year's show and to look for signs that they may have been boozing during work hours. Over the weekend, a staffer also claimed they were offered cocaine by one of the show's stars. He told The Sun: 'The main partying is on site at Elstree after filming of the live show has finished. Boozing and drug taking goes on until 3am, sometimes 4am. The smoking area outside is a hive of activity. Cocaine gets taken there'. He went on to claim that drug use was so common on the show, that when he found a suspicious bag of white powder, an unfazed senior producer told him to 'leave it on my desk' as the incident failed to raise even an eyebrow. The staff member also said the show's annual special filmed at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom was an especially 'big party night' full of debauchery. 'I was offered cocaine by a star at an after show party. Lots of people would go back to the hotel. It was a closed-off party, just for the cast and crew. It went on until 5am, even to 6am, it was insane. People were wired and you could see it in their eyes'. A BBC spokesperson told Daily Mail: 'We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us. We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further.' The shock allegations come amid a long period of controversy for the BBC and Strictly over the past year or so. In July last year, more than six months after quitting the show citing 'personal reasons', actress Amanda Abbington accused pro dancer Giovanni Pernice of 'unnecessary, cruel and mean behaviour' during their time dancing together on Strictly. Giovanni rejected the claims immediately, and a BBC investigation ruled in September that her claims of physical aggression and threatening behaviour were not upheld. When BBC bosses published their report into Giovanni's behaviour, it cleared him of the most serious allegations of physical aggression, but upheld verbal bullying and harassment. Complaints of verbal bullying and harassment meant the BBC issued an apology to Amanda, but Giovanni said he was 'pleased the report has not found any evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour'. Elsewhere, the show was plunged into crisis after Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans made a controversial joke during his time preparing for the Strictly tour in January. He used a vile sexual innuendo and was also caught up in a 'wandering hand' incident with dance partner Katya Jones , who seemed to remove his arm from her lower waist on the show. After the BBC launched an investigation into his conduct, bosses decided not to renew his radio contract for his show. The TV star confirmed in May that they will not be renewing his one-year rolling contract following a four-month investigation after the inappropriate comments made during his time on Strictly. Elsewhere, in further scandals for the BBC, Gregg Wallace was recently dismissed from MasterChef after more than 40 complaints against him were upheld following a BBC investigation. While his co-star John Torode was also sacked after two decades over allegations that he used the N-word, which he claims to have 'absolutely no recollection' of. In separate further controversy, it's recently been reported that Naga Munchetty could face an investigation from BBC bosses after she was accused of bullying a junior colleague. The BBC Breakfast host, 50, has been placed 'under review' while bosses consider escalating complaints to a formal investigation, The Sun reports. A source said higher-ups had heard from several colleagues and logged concerns over her 'hard' and 'bullying' behaviour on the breakfast show, as well as her Radio 5 Live show.


Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Destination X reveals savage ‘sabotage' twist as player handed game-changing advantage ahead of brutal cliffhanger
DESTINATION X unveiled a brutal 'sabotage' twist - with one player receiving a huge advantage amid a savage cliffhanger. The BBC programme sees a group of strangers try to figure out where they are in Europe through a series of clues in a bid to win £100,000. 5 Viewers have been gripped by new competition series Destination X Credit: BBC 5 Host Rob Brydon revealed a game-changing twist to one player Credit: BBC 5 Josh received massive power within the competitive game Credit: BBC Contestants will try any tactic to win and the latest episode saw one given a massive advantage. The players balance champagne glasses on a tray - while answering tough questions about their opponents. Josh, a 26-year-old pilot, emerged as the victor and soon learned of a huge twist. Host Rob Brydon privately informed Josh that he would have the power to sabotage a rival. Elimination occurs when the line-up place their 'X' markers based on where they believe themselves to be. Josh received the ability to move someone's 'X' by 250km, which could effectively ensure their exit. Reacting to the game-changing news, he said: "I feel like I've got a lot of influence on the game, which I like having." Josh also didn't have to take part in the next challenge - but got to see a big clue alongside the winners. Elsewhere, he identified fellow players Nick, Judith and Claire as potential targets for sabotage. Although Josh seemingly planned to choose Nick, viewers will have to learn the outcome. Destination X viewers slam show for being 'too easy' after they guess location - as contestant makes huge clue blunder This episode ended on a tense cliffhanger - with Rob having dropped a huge bombshell. Namely, that the bottom two players' X markers were only 600 metres apart. One viewer wrote online: "The sabotage is not fair." Another remarked: "Sorry but why did Josh get to win a ridiculously overpowered advantage AND get the winning clue just from the standard side game??" Whether Nick - who was identified by the others as the biggest threat - has his exit sealed or survives to play on remains to be seen. Viewers will also have to wait to discover where exactly the latest Destination X is. Players and fans alike seem to agree it's Italy, but are divided on the precise spot. One person wrote on X: "They're defo on the south of Italy near Sicily." Another penned: "Changed me mind, Italy, Venice?" A third chimed in: "Donatella Versace. That drink looks like a Campari Spritz. Milan?" Destination X continues on BBC One and iPlayer. 5 Josh had a big decision to make Credit: BBC


The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Destination X reveals savage ‘sabotage' twist as player handed game-changing advantage ahead of brutal cliffhanger
DESTINATION X unveiled a brutal 'sabotage' twist - with one player receiving a huge advantage amid a savage cliffhanger. The BBC programme sees a group of strangers try to figure out where they are in Europe through a series of clues in a bid to win £100,000. 5 5 5 Contestants will try any tactic to win and the latest episode saw one given a massive advantage. The players balance champagne glasses on a tray - while answering tough questions about their opponents. Josh, a 26-year-old pilot, emerged as the victor and soon learned of a huge twist. Host Rob Brydon privately informed Josh that he would have the power to sabotage a rival. Elimination occurs when the line-up place their 'X' markers based on where they believe themselves to be. Josh received the ability to move someone's 'X' by 250km, which could effectively ensure their exit. Reacting to the game-changing news, he said: "I feel like I've got a lot of influence on the game, which I like having." Josh also didn't have to take part in the next challenge - but got to see a big clue alongside the winners. Elsewhere, he identified fellow players Nick, Judith and Claire as potential targets for sabotage. Although Josh seemingly planned to choose Nick, viewers will have to learn the outcome. Destination X viewers slam show for being 'too easy' after they guess location - as contestant makes huge clue blunder This episode ended on a tense cliffhanger - with Rob having dropped a huge bombshell. Namely, that the bottom two players' X markers were only 600 metres apart. One viewer wrote online: "The sabotage is not fair." Another remarked: "Sorry but why did Josh get to win a ridiculously overpowered advantage AND get the winning clue just from the standard side game??" Whether Nick - who was identified by the others as the biggest threat - has his exit sealed or survives to play on remains to be seen. Viewers will also have to wait to discover where exactly the latest Destination X is. Players and fans alike seem to agree it's Italy, but are divided on the precise spot. One person wrote on X: "They're defo on the south of Italy near Sicily." A third chimed in: "Donatella Versace. That drink looks like a Campari Spritz. Milan?" Destination X continues on BBC One and iPlayer. 5 5