This Morning’s Dr Ranj Singh has been revealed as the seventh celebrity contestant for Strictly Come Dancing.
The announcement was made on Thursday’s This Morning by former Strictly contestant Ruth Langsford and husband co-host Eamonn Holmes.
They spun a glitter ball chair around to reveal Dr Ranj sitting inside!
Read more: Joe Sugg admits he thought he’d turn down Strictly
He told Ruth and Eamonn it was a relief to finally be able to tell people he was taking part after keeping it a secret for so long!
“Oh my gosh! I’m actually shaking. It’s been so hard [to keep it quiet], because I’ve been sworn to secrecy,” he said.
“So to all my friends and family, I’m so sorry, I have had to keep it quiet so if I have lied to you or not replied or ignored you I’m sorry. I didn’t want to ruin it because it’s such a big deal, it’s such a wonderful experience to be a part of, you don’t want to jeopardise it.”
“I have been trying to go to the gym to get a little bit fitter, and everything hurts!” he added.
“My friends would describe me as a cross between ‘dad dancing’ and a go-go dancer… I do like to dance, but I do it for fun, I’ve never been formally trained or anything. I’m super excited and I really want to learn to dance properly. I’m such a fan of the show.”
“I’ve been a massive fan for so long, and I can’t quite believe this is happening, but I’m going to give it my best shot,” he said.
“Anyone that knows me knows that I love a bit of sparkle… so bring on the glitter! I can’t wait!!”
Dr Ranj had been widely rumoured as one of this year’s Strictly contestants.
There had been three This Morning favourites linked to the show before today.
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Rumours had been swirling the contestant could have been Eamonn, after Ruth made a remark on Wednesday’s show about the “hips don’t lie”, which some fans thought was a reference to Eamonn’s previous hip surgery.
There was also speculation about Dr Ranj after The Sun claimed bosses were desperate to sign the “housewives’ favourite”.
Meanwhile, fashion expert Gok Wan fuelled the rumour mill with a cryptic tweet claiming: “I have some bloody sodding amazing exciting news… but I can’t tell you until Thursday! This is gonna do my blooming head in!”
I have some bloody sodding amazing exciting news… but I can’t tell you until Thursday! This is gonna do my blooming head in! 🤯
— Gok Wan MBE 🌈 (@therealgokwan) August 14, 2018
However, he clarified his tweet on Thursday, saying he wasn’t doing Strictly, he was actually about to film an exciting new TV show!
Dolls, I am not going into @bbcstrictly – I've even better news, I'm about to start filming the new show "Say Yes To The Dress Lancashire". A total dream come true! It's going to be AMAZING!! Brides, dresses and tears of joy – HEAVEN! Love you x #SYTTDLancs @tlc_uk pic.twitter.com/2yZQXlYacP
— Gok Wan (@therealgokwan) August 16, 2018
The contestants for the 2018 series have been revealed slowly over the last few days.
The other six famous faces signed up for this year are television presenter Katie Piper, cricketer Graeme Swann, YouTuber Joe Sugg, Capital FM radio DJ Vick Hope, Red Dwarf actor Danny John-Jules and Steps singer Faye Tozer.
Mum of two Katie was the first to be announced on Monday’s BBC Breakfast.
She said: “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!”
Later that day, Faye and Danny were unveiled as the second and third signings on The One Show.
Faye said: “I can’t wait to get in the costumes. The swishy skirts and fabulous fringing encrusted with crystals… It’s a big yes from me!”
Danny added: “Having spent the last few months on two wheels motorcycling around South America in pink leathers, I’m absolutely delighted to be getting back on two feet and into something more comfortable like glittery spandex.”
YouTuber Joe, who has eight million subscribers and is the brother of Zoella, was the fourth contestant to be confirmed.
He said: “My knowledge of dance isn’t the best, so I’m just going to go into it completely open minded.”
Next came Capital FM radio DJ Vick.
She said: “I’m so nervous about doing something outside of my comfort zone in front of so many people on live TV, which I could easily screw up. I’ve started genuinely having nightmares about going out in the first week!”
Meanwhile, cricketer Graeme was confirmed on BBC Radio 2 on Wednesday.
He said: “I’ve never been taught how to dance, I don’t know anything. So if you work for two weeks and then it’s about, your feet go here and your hands go there, and you get that wrong, that would be the end of the world for me.”
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The new series, believed to be starting in early September, will see presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman return, along with judges Shirley Ballas, Bruno Tonioli, Dame Darcey Bussell and Craig Revel Horwood.
At the end of July, the dancers for this year’s series, including Anton Du Beke, Oti Mabuse, Pasha Kovalev and Karen Clifton, started work in the dance studio.
Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One in the autumn.
Are you happy with the Strictly line-up so far? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!