This year’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ stars will still form a COVID-19 “bubble”, despite the easing of lockdown measures in the UK.
Ugo Monye
According to The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre TV column, celebrities and dancers will stay at a London hotel as show bosses try and minimise the risk of contestants or dancers contracting coronavirus.
While only a small number of audience members will be permitted into Elstree studios for the live shows.
This year, the BBC ballroom show will see the likes of Tom Fletcher, Ugo Monye, Robert Webb, AJ Odudu, Rhys Stephenson, Nina Wadia Judi Love, Adam Peaty, Rose Ayling-Ellis, Sara Davies, Greg Wise, Tilly Ramsay, Katie McGlynn, Dan Walker and John Whaite competing for the glitterball trophy.
With John making history as part of the first all-male coupling, as well as Rose who is the first ever deaf contestant on the show.
Ugo Monye was the final contestant confirmed for the series.
The 38-year-old sports presenter and former rugby union star said he’s hoping he will have more to show on the dancefloor than just “dad dancing moves”.
He said: "What a dream come true! 'Strictly' is the biggest entertainment show on TV and I can't wait to show everyone I've got more than just dad dancing moves.
“My two beautiful daughters never had a chance to see me on the rugby pitch, so to know they can watch me waltzing and twirling every week is really special to me.
“I love an outfit at the best of times, so bring on the sequins!"
Ugo began his rugby career at Harlequins in 2002 and made 241 appearances for the club, scored 89 tries, won a Premiership and made his England debut in 2008.
The sporting star retired in 2015, and has since become a respected face and voice in the world of sports presenting, hosting rugby coverage for BT Sport and ITV as well as the BBC 5 Live Rugby Union Weekly podcast.
In July this year, Ugo was also confirmed as one of the new team captains on BBC’s ‘A Question of Sport’.
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