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Strictly Come Dancing 2021: Everything you need to know about Robert Webb

Could Robert become second comedian in a row to win Strictly? (Picture: PA/BBC)

Get out the popcorn and dust off your dancing shoes – Strictly Come Dancing is back.

The 2021 series will welcome four new professional dancers to the fray, all of whom will be paired with one of the 15 celebrities taking part.

Joining the star-studded line up is comedian, actor, writer and presenter Robert Webb.

The Peep Show star isn’t a stranger to the world of dance, having performed a memorable Flashdance parody for Comic Relief many moons ago.

Find out all you need to know about him here – and relive his memorable 80s inspired performance here.

Who is Robert Webb?

Robert, 48, is a comedian, actor, writer and presenter, one of his best-known works being his starring role on Channel 4 series Peep Show.

Comedy duo David Mitchell and Robert Webb star together on Peep Show (Picture: Angus Young/Channel 4)

As one half of the double comedy act Mitchell and Webb, with fellow Peep Show star David Mitchell, Robert has also appeared in shows including That Mitchell and Webb Look and sitcom The Smoking Room.

Robert has made numerous panel show appearances, being featured on series such as Have I Got News For You, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and QI.

He recently starred on sitcom Back with David, with series two airing earlier this year.

Who is Robert Webb’s wife?

Robert has been married to fellow comedian Abigail Burdess since 2006.

They live in north London with their two daughters.

Robert Webb and Abigail Burdess at the British Comedy Awards in 2012 (Picture: Danny Martindale/WireImage)

When did Robert Webb have heart surgery?

The comedian has joked about mentioning his heart surgery as often as possible in a bid to win over the judges.

He told The Mirror: ‘I’m going to mention it as often as possible!

‘Actually, it’ll be the two year anniversary of my heart surgery on Halloween, so that will be the show where I get my scar covered in glitter.’

The comedian had emergency surgery after a routine check up revealed he had a heart murmur caused by a mitral valve prolapse.

He received the life-saving surgery swiftly after and was signed off work for three and a half months, later tweeting that his ‘heart had turned itself into a magimix blender.’

Filming the last 14 scenes of Back series 2 next week. Was delayed last Nov after I found out my heart had turned itself into a magimix blender & I needed surgery. Then we did a few more weeks in March. Then plague stopped play. Now trying again. Ooh.

— Robert Webb (@arobertwebb) September 8, 2020

When did Robert perform his Flashdance parody – how can I watch it?

In 2009, Robert channeled his best Alex Owens when he recreated her routine to ‘What A Feeling’ from the 1983 film Flashdance.

His performance was part of the BBC One programme Let’s Dance, which saw him dance in an effort to raise money for Comic Relief.

The comedian began his performance dressed in Alex’s welder uniform before revealing his leotard underneath, completing his look with a wig of unmistakable 80s curls.

After being saved by the public vote in the first week of the competition, Robert was eventually crowned the overall winner, having made it to the final in week four.

His series of Let’s Dance ended up raising an incredible £300,000 for Comic Relief.

Robert – we have to see this performance recreated on Strictly Come Dancing 2021!

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One tonight at 7pm

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