Strictly Come Dancing 2021: Rugby star Ugo Monye ‘set to be FINAL contestant’ and join Tom Fletcher, Corrie’s Katie McGlynn and Tilly Ramsay to complete the star-studded line-up for the new series
Rugby Union ace Ugo Monye is believed to be the 15th and final contestant on the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing, completing the star-studded line-up which includes Tom Fletcher, Coronation Street’s Katie McGlynn, Tilly Ramsay and EastEnders’ Nina Wadia.
The broadcaster and sports pundit, 38, is rumoured to be competing on the 19th series which returns this autumn on Saturday and Sunday evenings.
Ugo is allegedly putting his dancing skills to the test on the glamorous ballroom floor in front of judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli’s replacement Anton du Beke.
Rumour has it! Rugby Union ace Ugo Monye is believed to be the 15th and final contestant on the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing, completing the star-studded line-up which includes Tom Fletcher, Coronation Street’s Katie McGlynn, Tilly Ramsay and EastEnders’ Nina Wadia
Beginning his rugby career at Harlequins in 2002, Ugo went on to make 241 appearances for the club where he scored 89 tries, won a Premiership and made his England debut in 2008.
Since retiring from rugby in 2015, Ugo has become a respected face and voice in the world of sports presenting, hosting rugby coverage for BT Sport and ITV as well as the BBC 5 Live Rugby Union Weekly podcast.
In July 2021, it was announced that Ugo would be one of the new team Captains on BBC One’s A Question of Sport. He was recently named the first ever Chairman of England Rugby’s new Diversity and Inclusion committee.
The athlete is the father to daughters Ruby, 18 months, and Phoenix, four, whom he shares with his wife Lucy Monye.
Debut: The broadcaster and sports pundit, 38, (pictured in 2010) is rumoured to be competing on the 19th series which returns this autumn on Saturday and Sunday evenings.
Competition: Ugo will be vying for the Glitterball Trophy against 14 contestants including McFly’s Tom, 36 (pictured)
Ugo will be vying for the Glitterball Trophy against 14 contestants including McFly’s Tom, 36, Peep Show actor Robert Webb, 48, and presenter AJ Odudu, 33, who were revealed as the first three participants on last Wednesday’s edition of The One Show.
A day later on Thursday, Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite, 33, was confirmed for the show and will form one-half of the show’s first all-male partnership.
After much controversy during the show’s 17 year run over the prospect of a same-sex pairing, Strictly is finally addressing the call for change with John delightedly praising the ‘great step forward in representation and inclusion’.
He said: ‘What’s exciting for me, is that I’m going to be one half of the first all-male partnership, which is a great step forward in representation and inclusion.’
Presenter Rhys Stephenson, 27, who is the best known as the face of children’s television channel CBBC, will join the celebrities in this year’s line-up. He said he is ‘buzzing’ to be a part of Strictly and ‘can’t wait’ to start rehearsals.
OGs: The pop star, Peep Show actor Robert Webb, 48, (pictured) and presenter AJ Odudu, 33, were revealed as the first three participants on last Wednesday’s edition of The One Show
Ready for the floor: AJ is set to star on the iconic dancing competition
Meanwhile Dragons Den’s Sara Davies, 37, will try to dazzle on the dancefloor as she was revealed as the sixth Strictly Come Dancing star on Monday – joking that she can’t wait to see the ‘impact of training on her mum tum’.
Former Coronation Street actress Katie, 27, and journalist Dan Walker, 44, were announced as additional stars for the 2021 line-up on Tuesday in a surprise double announcement.
Also, Matilda ‘Tilly’ Ramsay- who is the daughter of chef Gordon Ramsay – is set to make her dancing debut on the BBC show.
She was unveiled as the ninth contestant during Wednesday’s episode of This Morning and her famous father also made a cameo on the daytime programme as he recorded a clip to show to her.
Natural performer: Presenter Rhys Stephenson, 27, who is the best known as the face of children’s television channel CBBC, will join the celebrities in this year’s line-up
She means business: Meanwhile Dragons Den’s Sara Davies , 37, will try to dazzle on the dancefloor as she was revealed as the sixth Strictly Come Dancing star on Monday – joking that she can’t wait to see the ‘impact of training on her mum tum’
Revealed: Actress Katie, 27, and journalist Dan Walker, 44, were announced as additional stars for the 2021 line-up on Tuesday in a surprise double announcement
In the video, Gordon, 54, cheekily warned Tilly, 19, not to date any of the dancers, while Tilly admitted she was ‘terrified’ of the challenge that lies ahead.
Greg Wise will be swapping acting for dancing on the upcoming series as he was confirmed as the tenth participant on Wednesday.
The Sense and Sensibility actor, 55, revealed he finally decided to sign-up to the show to honour the five year anniversary of his sister Clare’s death from cancer.
Speaking about his motivation, Greg – who is married to actress Emma Thompson – explained: ‘Clare was a huge disco diva and we sent her out of this life in a disco ball coffin to banging 80s music.’
Cast: The former Corrie star and the TV presenter (pictured) were confirmed as being the seventh and eighth celebrities set to compete on the hit show during Tuesday’s BBC Breakfast
Put on her dancing shoes: Also, Matilda ‘Tilly’, 19 – who is the daughter of chef Gordon Ramsay – is set to make her dancing debut on the BBC show
Meanwhile former EastEnders actress Nina, 52, admitted on Lorraine that the only way she stands a chance of winning Strictly is if she ‘blindfolds the judges’, as it was announced on Thursday that she will join the show in autumn.
Fellow EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, 30, will make history as the first deaf contestant to take part in Strictly after she was confirmed as a contestant on Thursday night, just hours after her former co-star Nina.
The actress, 30, who plays Frankie Lewis, said she hopes by taking part in Strictly, that she will ‘break down barriers’ for the deaf community.
Will Bayley, JJ Chalmers and Lauren Steadman have also starred in the show in the following years and raised awareness for disabilities.
Ready for action: Greg Wise, 55, will be swapping acting for dancing on the upcoming series as he was confirmed as the tenth participant on Wednesday
Rounding off the cast for the 2021 series, Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty MBE, 26, and Loose Women panellist Judi Love, 41, were both unveiled on Friday as the 13th and 14th contestants.
Adam was announced first as he appeared on BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat and admitted he’s ‘bricking it’, despite being used to performing under intense pressure.
He has just returned from the Tokyo 2020 games, where he made history by becoming the first British swimmer to defend an Olympic title, after claiming gold at the Rio 2016 Olympics and Tokyo 2020 in the Men’s 100m Breaststroke.
Now the swimmer is taking on a new challenge and is hoping his competitive nature will serve him well on the dancefloor.
Sense of humour: Meanwhile former EastEnders actress Nina, 52, admitted on Lorraine that the only way she stands a chance of winning Strictly is if she ‘blindfolds the judges’, as it was announced on Thursday that she will join the show in autumn
Adam said in a statement: ‘I think this will come as a surprise to a lot of people, but I’m so excited to finally share the news that I’ll be joining Strictly this year.
‘I’m really looking forward to doing something totally different and challenging myself away from the pool. I’m hoping my competitive nature is going to compensate for my dancing abilities!’
Speaking on Newsbeat Adam, he said: ‘I’ve swam for seven years and I’ve gone through the constant cycle of championship, o back to training, go back to the drawing board, another championship… but I’ve never been truly uncomfortable.
‘This is going to be very interesting, I’m going to be very uncomfortable!’
He continued: ‘The best way about this way and this path is that if I take too much time out of physical training, I get fat, I get big, I have too much muscle on, whereas Strictly is going to keep me fit, it’s a change of stimulus.
Star-studded: Fellow EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis , 30, will make history as the first deaf contestant to take part in Strictly after she was confirmed as a contestant on Thursday night, just hours after her former co-star Nina
‘I’m going to do something I’ve never done before, and hopefully have a lot of fun.
He added that ‘very few’ people knew about his signing, including his mum, and that Strictly will form part of his break from swimming.
Meanwhile Judi was revealed as the next contestant live on Loose Women. During the announcement on the show, she said: ‘I don’t have any moves yet. I’m so nervous it’s so out of comfort zone, but what an opportunity to learn a new skill.
‘I’ve known a few weeks. My friends were asking who it was but I couldn’t say anything. I’m overwhelmed with excitement.
Dancing shoes: Rounding off the cast for the 2021 series, Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty MBE, 26, and Loose Women panellist Judi Love, 41, were both unveiled on Friday as the 13th and 14th contestants
‘I don’t know his name but the one with long hair I’d like to be paired with. This is something very new for you I am thrilled.’
Judi then rang her mum Kelly live on-air who congratulated her.
The comedian said in a statement: ‘I think I am still in shock that I will be part of this amazing show. I’ve watched it for many years and admired the phenomenal abilities of these dancers and celebrities that have taken part and dedicated themselves to learning a new craft.
‘I’m truly looking forward to pushing myself in something that I could have only dreamed of doing and now it’s actually coming true! I can’t lie I’m soooo nervous but excited at the same time!’
Put to the test: Judi was revealed as the next contestant live on Loose Women where she said: ‘I don’t have any moves yet. I’m so nervous it’s so out of comfort zone, but what an opportunity to learn a new skill’
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