EastEnders actor and Olympian who accidentally revealed signing are officially announced for Strictly Come Dancing liennhi

   

AN EastEnders actor and Olympian have been confirmed as the latest Strictly Come Dancing signings.

Soap star Jamie Brothwick, 30, who starred in the BBC show's Christmas special and swimmer Tom Dean MBE, 24, were announced as competitors on Radio 1 this afternoon.

Tom is a competitive freestyle swimmer
Tom is a competitive freestyle swimmerCredit: Getty
Jamie Borthwick scored the highest possible mark of 40 in the Christmas show
Jamie Borthwick scored the highest possible mark of 40 in the Christmas showCredit: BBC

Competitive freestyle swimmer Tom had accidentally revealed he was joining the scandal-hit show after The Sun's exclusive story.

He'll join Jamie Borthwick, who plays Jay Brown on EastEnders, who scored the highest possible mark of 40 in the Christmas show.

And it looks like he could take home the Glitterball Trophy for a second time.

Tom said on Radio 1: "Me and Jamie were just chatting about it and how much dance experience we've both got.

"I'm excited. It doesn't quite feel real. We've got some training coming so that'll help to make it sink more in."

Meanwhile Jamie, 30, who has starred in the BBC soap for 18 years, was paired with pro Nancy Xu on his former stint.

But it is not known yet who his partner will be in the autumn.

Jamie said: "Doing the Christmas show is what made me do this. I had such a fantastic time."

Reminded that he won the festive special, Jamie laughed: "I blagged it, I don't know how but I did."

Tom bagged two golds at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the 200 metres freestyle and the 4 x 200 metres medley relay.

Strictly confirm soap legend and comedy star have signed up

The relay team went on to defend their title at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Tom made it to the final of the 200m individual medley in Paris, finishing fifth.

Earlier today, X Factor winner and Coronation Street hunk Shayne Ward joined actress Sarah Hadland on ITV's Lorraine for their own big reveal.

Shayne, 39. told host Christine Lampard: "My kids are at home watching this, we've watched it for so many years, I feel massive admiration for people who take part because it's not easy.

"I've always loved watching the progress to the next stage. But for me honestly I always felt like I was nervous to do it, like I couldn't do it, like I wasn't good enough.

"But now after many years I feel in my gut this is the right time, I'm excited for it, I'm hungry!"

Miranda actress Sarah, 53, who is best known as Stevie Sutton in the beloved BBC sitcom, admitted she hadn't told her mum the news yet.

She told Christine: "I'm doing it finally, every year she says, 'do you think you'll do it this year? And now I can say yes I will. Massive morning for my mum."

Christine said to the pair: "We know Strictly has been in the press for the wrong reasons, how does it feel to be in the new series?"

Shayne, who has been focusing on his drama The Goodship Murder, said: "I've been away hiding for three months so I haven't seen anything. I'm just focused on meeting all the dancers and the rest of the contestants and having the most amazing experience."

Sarah replied: "I'm just happy to be covered in glue and rolled in glitter and tan."

The announcements come after Love Island star Tasha Ghouri and Towie legend Pete Wicks also confirmed they will be appearing on the 20th series of Strictly.

The popular BBC dancing show has made headlines recently after a storm of controversy over the alleged treatment of contestants on the show.

And Just six women have joined the upcoming line-up.

Who's confirmed for Strictly 2024?

WITH Strictly's 20th anniversary special airing in September, The Sun takes a look at which celebs have been confirmed so far:

  • Olympic hero Sam Quek.
  • Towie legend Pete Wicks.
  • Love Island star Tasha Ghouri.
  • Morning Live star Dr Punam Krishan.
  • 80s legend and singer Toyah Willcox.
  • Opera singer Wynne Evans.
  • JLS singer JB Gill.
  • Comedian Chris McCausland.

The results of an investigation, launched by the BBC following allegations made about Giovanni Pernice by former participant Amanda Abbington, have not yet been published by the corporation.

Pernice rejects the allegations and fellow dancer Graziano Di Prima has also left the show.

The competition is fierce this year with just six women signing up - and two of them have vast dance training.

Tasha has been forced to defend her dance experience after announcing she's joining the competition.

The star - who used to date ex-pro dancer Giovanni Pernice - competed in a number of major dance events before finding fame on Love Island.

Meanwhile, Sarah's pal, Doctor Who's Alex Kingston, previously said it would be 'unfair' to compete against Sarah on Strictly.

Alex shared in 2019: "Sarah Hadland and I talked about how much we’d like to do Strictly Come Dancing.

“Then I discovered that she’s actually a trained ballet dancer.

 

"Hang on a minute! That’s not fair!’ So, I can’t do it on a season when she is on it."

TV star Sarah has starred in countless other shows including The Job Lot, Waterloo Road and That Mitchell and Webb Look.

Amanda Abbingdon said she suffered with PTSD after her training with Giovanni Pernice
Amanda Abbingdon said she suffered with PTSD after her training with Giovanni PerniceCredit: PA
Graziano Di Prima has also left the show
Graziano Di Prima has also left the showCredit: Getty