Strictly Come Dancing has confirmed the next two celebrities set for the line-up of its Christmas special.
Anne-Marie and Moira Stuart were both announced as part of the show on Strictly spin-off It Takes Two on Thursday evening.
2002 songstress Anne-Marie – who shot to fame with tracks like Rockabye featuring Clean Bandit and Ciao Adios – will be partnered with Graziano Di Prima.
The pop princess said of her appointment: “I’m excited to take part in the Strictly Christmas special. I love the show, and who would turn down a dance with Graziano?!”
Graziano said Anne-Marie is already doing “really well” in training – although details of their dance couldn’t be revealed in full.
Meanwhile, broadcasting legend Moira Stuart will also be joining the line-up, confirming: “I’m really looking forward to the Strictly Christmas special. I’ve loved dancing for as long as I can remember.
(Image: BBC)
“In fact it even helped me try to keep warm in my early coldwater flat…”
She is set to be paired with Aljaž Škorjanec.
Other celebs already confirmed for the line-up are Mel Giedroyc of Mel and Sue fame, Fred Sirieix from First Dates and The Repair Shop’s Jay Blades.
Jay will be partnered with professional dancer Luba Mushtuk.
(Image: BBC)
Speaking on the show via video link, Jay explained: “It’s probably one of the things I love most, which is challenging myself to do something I’ve never done before.
While Fred is partnered up with Dianne Buswell – who was forced to pull out of this year’s competition due to her partner Robert Webb’s health fears after undergoing open heart surgery.
Mel will be dancing with Neil Jones.
However, one reveal was met with disdain from the public, as they fumed that Fred’s place in the line-up will likely mean more airtime for celebrity chef – and his former co-star – Gordon Ramsay.
Fred has just recently appeared on a programme alongside Gordon and Gino D’Acampo, in which the trio travel the world in search of local cuisines and dining experiences.
The show, however, was recently axed as Gordon pulled out, with Gino announcing at the time: “Breaking News…
“Unfortunately we will no longer be filming #GordonGinoandFred mainly because @gordongram is too busy working on his hair highlights in USA.”
With Gordon’s daughter Tilly already taking part in the contest, he has been appearing via video link at various stages throughout the BBC show.
Now fans are fuming at the ‘favouritism’ shown to Gordon, allegedly in order to satisfy an agenda.
One posted: “Fred Sirieix? So Gordon gets to stay in the audience a while longer…”
Someone else followed up: “#ItTakesTwo Tom and Amy barely hiding their disgust at the rigged results from Saturday. But hey, the Ramsay double act cooking show is all that matters at the Beeb!”
And another fan wrote: “Coincidental that Gordon’s former co-star has been picked for #Stricty xmas special? I think not… #ItTakesTwo.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
