The very first contestant on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing has reportedly been signed up by bosses.
Rugby Union star Ugo Monye “can’t wait to show off his moves”, a source close to the sporting star has revealed.
Ugo, a former Harlequins player and is said to be friends with Jamie Laing, who was a finalist in last year’s competition.
Originally from Islington, north London, Ugo was a student at Lord Wandsworth College before being introduced to Harlequin’s coach Colin Osborne.
He has played all sorts of positions including wing, centre and fullback in his career.
Ugo has also played for England, British and Irish Lions (during their 2009 tour to South Africa), Barbarian FC and England Saxons.
(Image: BBC)
A source told The Sun: “He’s not known for his dancing, but he isn’t afraid of a challenge.
“Ugo became friendly with Jamie when they worked on a travel show together in 2019 and after seeing how much he loved the experience, Ugo jumped at the chance.
“Also, Ugo is very much a rising star at the BBC. He is a captain on the revamped Question Of Sport and getting a turn on Strictly will help boost his profile even further.”
(Image: ITV)
The insider also said that Ugo is a “great signing” and “maybe as good as the waltz as he is on the wing!”
Last year’s Strictly was a different affair without a live audience but it is believed the show will be back to normal for 2021.
Judges Craig Revel Horwood, 56, Shirley Ballas, 60, Motsi Mabuse, 40, and Anton Du Beke, 55, will be back on the panel with former dance professional Anton replacing Bruno Tonioli, 65, as a judge for the first time.
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(Image: ITV)
Meanwhile, four new professional dancers will be sashaying onto our screens this autumn.
The dazzling new dancers include Cameron Lombard, Kai Widdrington, Nikita Kuzmin and Jowita Przystal.
Reigning South African Latin Champion Cameron Lombard might only be 20, but he has won 18 national titles across Ballroom and Latin during his dance career.
Kai Widdrington was set to follow in his father’s footsteps with hopes of becoming a professional footballer but then took a U-turn and took up dancing instead.
At just 14 he became the World Junior Latin-American champion.
Kai appeared on Britain’s Got Talent in 2012 when he was only 16 and made it to the final.
Nikita Kuzmin was born in Ukraine and lived there until he was nine years old when his family moved to Italy to support his sister’s dancing career.
He started dancing at age four after initially wanting to do karate like his hero Jackie Chan.
During his nine years in Italy, Nikita became a six-times Italian Champion in Latin and Ballroom.
Jowita Przystal started ballroom dancing at the age of 12 and is a Polish Open Latin Champion.
In 2015 she ended her competitive Ballroom and Latin career to join the cast of touring dance company, Burn The Floor, where she stayed for four years before moving to the UK in 2019.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
