Strictly Come Dancing has welcomed Royal Marine JJ Chalmers to the BBC One line-up, it has been revealed.
The Royal Marine reservist went on to become a TV presenter after suffering devastating injuries in an IED blast Afghanistan.
Speaking to host Lorraine Kelly on her namesake show this morning, the 33-year-old made it clear he was still struggling to comprehend he was taking part in Strictly.
He mused: “10 years ago I was just standing in a dust box in Afghanistan.”
The dad-of-one added that the “initial reaction” from his nearest and dearest had been that the experience would be “ridiculous”.
Royal Marine JJ Chalmers is the latest addition to the Strictly family
Scottish presenter JJ was injured in a bomb blast in Afghanistan nine years ago, suffering facial injuries, losing two fingers and shattering his right elbow.
Three years later, he defied the odds and won a medal in the non-amputee cycling race for the UK at the Invictus Games, leaving his family overjoyed.
After his success at the coveted games, the athlete went on to pivot into presenting, having returned to the 2016 Invictus Games as an ambassador.
JJ has forged a successful career as a presenter in recent years (Image: BBC / Adrian Myers / Anna Mullin)
JJ and his wife Kornelia Chalmers are proud parents to a tiny dancer of their own, with daughter Hayley attending weekly dance classes.
Chatting about his upcoming dance debut, Lorraine said: “Your wee girl is going to absolutely love seeing her dad dancing.”
Laughing, JJ replied: “I told her last night and her reaction as sort of disbelief again. The first thing she said to me this morning as ‘have you learnt to dance yet’.”
Lorraine quizzed JJ about his family’s reaction to his Strictly debut (Image: ITV)
Wishing him good luck, Lorraine exclaimed: “I can’t wait to see what you’re going to bring to the show!”
Though the official start date for the new season of Strictly has yet to be confirmed, the series is expected to debut in late October.
So far, famous faces such as Made In Chelsea’s Jamie Laing, boxer Nicola Adams, GMB’s Ranvir Singh and comedian Bill Bailey have been confirmed for the new season.
Watch this space!
Lorraine airs on weekdays at 9am on ITV.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
