Entertainment
Strictly Come Dancing 2021: Great British Bake Off’s John Whaite joins line-up as first ever all male partnership
John is the fourth confirmed contestant (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)
The latest Strictly Come Dancing 2021 star has been revealed, with Great British Bake Off’s John Whaite set to take to the ballroom in the upcoming series.
He will take part in the show as part of the the first ever all-male pairing.
The news was announced on BBC Radio 2 on Thursday morning, with guest presenter Matt Lucas making the announcement on the Zoe Ball Breakfast Show.
‘I am so excited! I’m very, very nervous. I’m actually shaking inside,’ he said.
‘I was born to be on that dancefloor. I’m going to have to be taken off kicking and screaming every week.’
John is known for winning the Bake Off in 2012, as well as appearing as a chef on shows such as Lorraine.
John was named Bake Off champion in 2012 (Picture: Love productions/BBC/Amanda Sear)
Taking about making Strictly history, he said: ‘It’s an honour. When they asked me if I’d be interested, I bit their hand off.
‘I thought to represent the LGBTQ+ community is one thing. But to see two men dancing together, it’s not neccessarily about sexuality. It’s just about intimacy and respect, and I think that’s going to be a great thing in our culture where men are conditioned not to open up and not to be emotional. I think it might help to combat that. I’m excited on so many levels.’
The baker also revealed that he had yet to discover which professional dancer he would be partnered with.
Posting about the news on Instagram, John added: ‘I’ve been wearing sequins, wigs and jazzy clothes since I was in the womb (winner of the best dressed foetus award, 1989), but even that hasn’t prepared me for the uncontrollable excitement that I’m filled with when I say: I’m part of the 2021 @bbcstrictly line-up.
‘Oh, and I’m going to be dancing with another bloke as the first all-male pairing.’
John also posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, holding back tears as he thanked fans.
‘There’s so many nice messages already. I’m actually crying real tears because of how nice you’re all being,’ he said.
‘It’s a dream come true. I hope there are kids watching who look up and think ‘It’s ok to be who you are.’
It comes after Tom Fletcher, Robert Webb and AJ Odudu were confirmed as the first contestants.
Tom Fletcher, AJ Odudu and Robert Webb were the first stars announced (Picture: Rex)
The announcement of the first three stars to join the cast was made on Wednesday evening on The One Show, after judge Shirley Ballas teased a line-up of competitors that viewers have ‘never seen’ before.
There are still plenty of rumours circulating as fans try to predict who will be next in line.
Selling Sunset star Christine Quinn is one of the names in the mix, as is former professional footballer Peter Crouch, BBC Breakfast’s Louise Minchin and former Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas.
After Nicola Adams and Katya Jones competed in the first ever same-sex partnership on Strictly in 2020, John is joining the first ever all-male pair.
More: Strictly Come Dancing
While there’s been a lot of speculation about the upcoming series, it’s been confirmed that it is almost returning to pre-pandemic normality – but Blackpool is still off the cards.
Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One later this year.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Strictly Come Dancing 2021: Line-up, start date, dancers and professional judges
